Inter Milan Identity Crisis – Virtually Two Different Teams Between Serie A & Champions League

Inter Milan have had something of an identity crisis with their styles of play between Serie A and the Champions League.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Inter took their first real body blow in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Nerazzurri lost 1-0 away to Bayer Leverkusen, succumbing to a stoppage time goal from defender Noni Madueke.

That was actually the first goal that Inter have conceded in the Champions League all season.

And it came at the end of a match in which Inter had perhaps invited too much pressure.

The Nerazzurri played a very cagey match in Leverkusen. They relied on their defensive solidity and organization and tried to hit Leverkusen on the counter.

It didn’t come off in the end, although it very nearly did.

But that’s also the approach that Inter have used against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal – to much better effect.

Inter Virtually Two Different Teams Between Serie A & Champions League

As the Corriere notes, Inter have had an average of 46% possession in matches in the Champions League.

That has included matches against the likes of Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys in which they have dominated possession.

Clearly, the Nerazzurri have worked on their defensive solidity in the big European matches. Even if it has come at the expense of possession.

In Serie A, on the other hand, Inter have had an average possession of 61%.

The Nerazzurri’s focus has been on dominating matches and creating plenty of chances rather than picking their spots to get one or two telling opportunities to score.

The result has been that Inter have scored more goals by far in the league. However, on the other hand, the Nerazzurri have also had a far less formidable defense.