26 April 2019
THE PATH
Inter’s season started badly, against Sassuolo they lost in their opening match and a game later came a draw against Torino in their San Siro 2018/19 debut. As we edged closer to our first game with Inter in December at the Allianz Stadium, the Nerazzurri had already partially corrected their subpar start. However, the distance between the two sides was still a formidable one as the Bianconeri boasted a 14 point gap on Inter. Since then they have seen themselves right around the third-place mark throughout the majority of the season.
THE UPS
The difference between a place in the Champions League and one in the Europa League looked like it may be determined by the two derbies wins against their stadium counter-parts, AC Milan. Of particular importance was the return leg, in which Inter won 3-2. A decisive win, even more so because it was determined without the contribution of Icardi - the match-winner of the first leg.
...AND THE DOWNS
During their away leg against Atalanta, Inter suffered their heaviest defeat. Inter ended the first half a goal down, a partially positive result considering the enormous amount of chances produced and failed by the hosts. Icardi's penalty at the start of the second half was not enough to mask the bad day, as the final result of 4-1 was on the scorecards for all to read. That being said, the defeat boosted Inter to a positive streak of performances, with seven victories in a row that had potential to aspire to something more than a third place finish.
TACTICAL ANALYSIS
Spalletti's Inter, in the first part of the season showed some quality elements of football. However, the winter period was not kind to the Nerazzurri as they dropped points in the standings. In their away leg at the Allianz Stadium, the guests created some dangerous situations in the Juventus box, only to then be clearly beaten by a dominant Bianconeri second-half performance.
In the first minutes of the match, Spalletti managed to impose his style of football on Juve. That of being able to stretch the opposing team with high pressing, playing the ball and inserting players between the gaps. Twice, in fact in the first twenty minutes, Inter presented clear danger for Juve as you can see from the videos. The visitors dictated the passage of play forcing an onslaught of attack upon the Bianconeri. In the video below you can clearly see the quality passing game presented by the opponents that ends in a clear opportunity to score.
In the tactical frame, it is evident to see the development of play with Gagliardini that from the centre circle. He rushes forward as soon as Politano comes into possession, skillfully exploiting the Icardi’s run. The attack was not to be and Juventus, who remained compact, managed not only to limit the damage, but in the second half, were able to inflict their own damange by way of a Mario Mandzukic headed, winning goal.
