Inter are worried about their defence following the three goals conceded against Borussia Dortmund in the second half of their 3-2 defeat to the German club in the Champions League earlier this week, according to a report from today’s paper edition of the Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
The report details how the Nerazzurri’s defence has started to show its weaknesses following their 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou last month. Before that game they had only conceded three goals in seven games, but since then have only kept one clean sheet, against Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro.
The defensive trio of Diego Godin, Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar started this season well, but a busy schedule and lack of exciting alternatives – only Alessandro Bastoni – have seen the Nerazzurri concede 39 shots on goal since October, an average of 4.8 per game. At the start of the season in August and September, the club only conceded 21 shots on goal, an average of 3 per game, the report continues.
Inter coach Antonio Conte gave an explanation for the devolution of the defence.
“It’s better for us when we’re high up the field and building play. Let’s not forget that the team has scored more than 30 goals, we’ve scored a few more than the average.”
“There’s work to be done and we’ll try to get back to rejoicing for a zero in terms of goals conceded. In this, as I always say, we attack as eleven because the goalkeeper is also essential and even in the defensive phase this issue affects the entire team. You can’t put specific blame on a sector. The whole team needs to improve.”
