GdS: Small adjustments for Inter, big changes for Milan – tactical battle begins

Tonight’s clash between AC Milan and Inter will be a special one, with the Rossoneri hoping to turn things around, while the Nerazzurri could make history. The two managers, Simone Inzaghi and Paulo Fonseca, also have very different approaches. 

As highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport this morning (see photo below), it’s a derby with two completely different situations for each team. Milan, following one win in the last five games, are looking at radical changes to find a turning point while Inter remain confident in their successful set-up, hoping to make it 7 derby wins.

Small adjustments for Inter

Inzaghi made it clear during his press conference that Inter ‘feel strong against everything and everyone” and this is the perfect mentality to have for a derby. Although the manager did have a few doubts regarding the XI, these seem to have been resolved now.

Federico Dimarco has recovered and will play from the first minute, while Denzel Dumfries is battling out with Matteo Darmian on the right. No tactical changes will be deployed, with Inzaghi confident in his side’s ability to clinch yet another win in the derby.

Small adjustments, however, will be seen as Inter intend to put Milan in difficulty on their right flank, i.e. the Nerazzurri’s left. Dimarco could have a very advanced position here, as the newspaper continues, almost playing alongside Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram at times.

Big changes for Milan

Milan, on the other hand, won’t make small adjustments but rather big changes, as Tammy Abraham and Alvaro Morata look set to start together in a 4-4-2 formation. It could transform into a 4-2-3-1 during the game, with the Spaniard dropping down for the pressing and hold-up play.

It’s not entirely unprecedented as Abraham and Morata were on the pitch together for 10 minutes against Venezia and 15 minutes against Liverpool. However, they have never done it from the start. So the question is, will Milan be too unbalanced?

In truth, Abraham and Morata can both guarantee pressure on Inter’s backline that has often been lacking with Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Tijjani Reijnders in the No.10 role. In Fonseca’s opinion, the first step to defending effectively, together with ball possession, is pressing.

Furthermore, Inter have often suffered in the build-up against two-pronged attacks: Porto and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in the last two years are examples. Morata’s backward movement, in possession, can also free up space for Leao’s central insertions, to try to catch Inzaghi’s defence unprepared.