Inter Milan’s midfield went from a strength to a costly weakness in their Serie A loss to AC Milan in the derby.
This is the assessment in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.
Last season, Inter’s midfield was the engine room that powered their Serie A title triumph.
The Nerazzurri had a clear pecking order in central areas. The trio that started regularly, particularly in the big match, was that of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolo Barella.
Meanwhile, Davide Frattesi and Kristjan Asllani acted as understudies and impact substitutes.
Then in the summer, Inter added former Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski.
The Pole’s quality and experience seemed like they would only bolster Inter’s midfield further.
Inter Midfield Goes From A Strength To A Weakness In Derby Vs AC Milan
Inter’s midfield has not exactly fallen off a cliff this season.
Against Manchester City last week, the Nerazzurri impressed in the midfield battle.
Zielinski showed what he can provide in his first ever start for Inter, coming in for Mkhitaryan.
Calhanoglu did his job with and particularly without the ball. And Barella won the Player of the Match honour for a truly outstanding display against City’s formidable midfield.
But in the derby, Inter looked hapless in midfield at times.
Mkhitaryan returned to the starting eleven. But the 35-year-old showed every bit of his age with a toothless display, overrun and hooked around the hour mark.
Also taken off in the second half was Calhanoglu. The former Rossoneri midfielder had a game to forget against his old side.
And then Barella was not able to reprise his heroics from the City clash. Perhaps fatigue was a factor, and eventually he too had to come off due to injury.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi relied on Asllani, Frattesi, and Zielinski to try and inject life into the midfield.
But the substitutions changed little.
