17 September 2016
Derby d’Italia debut for de Boer
Appointed as Roberto Mancini’s replacement on 9 August 2016, Frank de Boer has been at the Nerazzurri helm for little over a month.
The former Netherlands defender begins his Italian adventure on the back of a highly successful six years in charge of Ajax, with whom he won four Eredivisie titles and a Dutch Super Cup.
Arriving towards the end of his new club’s pre-season, however, has seen de Boer tinker with formations and personnel throughout his first three Serie A matches.
The 4-2-3-1 adopted last Sunday against Pescara brought about his first league victory, a dramatic 2-1 triumph courtesy of Mauro Icardi’s injury-time winner.
With Inter controlling possession (63 per cent) and helping themselves to 22 shots in total that day, it will be interesting to see if de Boer opts to stick with this formation against Juventus on Sunday.
Summer of sea change
The comings and goings at Inter have been by no means restricted to the dugout. Indeed, the Nerazzurri would prove to be extremely busy in bringing in new players over the summer, strengthening especially in central areas.
A winner with Portugal at the European Championships in France, Joao Mario provides physicality and energy to Inter’s midfield following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
Further up the pitch, Ever Banega has already put his creative qualities to deadly effect. Typically deployed as the most advanced of Inter’s midfielders, the former Sevilla man has chipped in with two assists so far this term.
The club has also added to its options down the right-hand side, signing former Juve winger Antonio Candreva from Lazio and young Brazilian full-back Gabriel from Santos.
As well as these notable reinforcements, Inter also retained star striker Mauro Icardi, who was the subject of interest from top clubs in the English Premier League.
A mixed month in Milan
With four points out of a possible nine, Inter have posted a defeat (0-2 vs Chievo), a draw (1-1 vs Palermo) and a victory (2-1 vs Pescara) from their opening three league matches.
The Bianconeri will be wary of the fact that their opponents’ results have experienced an upwards trend domestically, despite losing 2-0 in the Europa League at home to Hapoel Beer Sheva on Thursday.
A rock-solid defender in his playing days, de Boer will be keen to shore up a rearguard that is yet to keep a clean sheet this term.
The story, however, is more positive in attack, where Icardi has hit the ground running to net three in as many Serie A outings.
