The absence of the two starters caused the Nerazzurri’s level of play to drop, also because the substitutes…
For one Inter that is running wonderfully, there is another that is struggling terribly. Not so much in terms of results – because the draw against Bologna is the first “half” stoppage in Serie A since the 1-1 at the beginning of November against Napoli – but in terms of play, offensive proactiveness, dominance in the middle of the field. Because the absences in Inzaghi’s team weigh double: without Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan, against Bologna the Nerazzurri were unable to attack the match as they usually do, nor to control the lead or manage ball possession. The Turk’s absence was felt a lot: Asllani had partially redeemed himself in Venice after a series of colorless tests, but this evening he was lost again. In the grip of Freuler and Moro and in the frenetic pressing of the rossoblù attacking midfielders, the Albanian never found a useful starting point. Indeed, more than anything else he lost a series of bloody balls in the middle of the pitch. Calhanoglu’s ability to manage under pressure, launch and create was missing. How Mkhitaryan’s runs in the middle of the pitch were missing: without the Armenian, but with Zielinski – who was also the protagonist of a decent performance – Inter struggled to turn the front around, effectively losing control of the midfield. And not even Darmian, after Venezia’s three-point goal, gave the same confidence that Bisseck usually never lacks on the center right.
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In short, Inter does not have “two teams” as some have often insinuated in recent months. When the starters are missing, it is clear that the team turns differently. Tonight’s performance against Bologna is just the latest example, because when even just one of Inzaghi’s fundamental players is missing the difference is noticeable: in Venice, 3 good points came and little else. In the Super Cup against Milan, the physical problems of Calhanoglu – during the match – and Thuram respectively complicated management in the middle and incisiveness in front of goal. The changes were not incisive. But the squad remains this: no new arrivals are expected from the market – at least to date. This is why for Inzaghi, now that the Nerazzurri coach will have to do without Calhanoglu, Bisseck and (perhaps) Mkhitaryan, the imperative becomes only one: bring the reserves to the level of the starters. Not an easy task, but to aim for the scudetto we need the contribution of… everyone.
Belgium
