Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi has faced criticism for his use of substitutions in Serie A matches against Monza and AC Milan.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, argue that the Nerazzurri has gotten it wrong and unbalanced his team with the changes he’s made.
Inter have failed to win in their last two Serie A matches.
Against Monza, the Nerazzurri had played with a significantly rotated team. That was in view of their Champions League clash with Manchester City.
The balance of the team never quite looked right against the Brianzoli after an early start.
And Inzaghi decided to act in the second half.
The Inter coach took off starting strikers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautovic replaced them.
Then, the Inter coach made a bold move of removing midfielder Kristjan Asllani and replacing him with a striker. Joaquin Correa made a surprise appearance from the bench.
That was certainly a bold gambit, as Inzaghi clearly didn’t want to settle for a point.
Inter did score via a substitute in the form of Denzel Dumfries in that match. But this only came after their very top-heavy team had conceded, with Monza starting to find space on the counter.
Then on Sunday in the derby against AC Milan, Inzaghi once again made some eyebrow-raising second half substitutions.
The Inter coach had started that match with a familiar trio in midfield.
But with the Nerazzurri losing the central battle, Inzaghi decided to remove stalwarts Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu.
In truth, the two starters’ performances probably warranted their being hooked.
But it is not as though Davide Frattesi and Kristjan Asllani did any better.
And then when Inzaghi had to take off Nicolo Barella due to injury, Inter suddenly had a midfield that looked very thrown-together.
In the view of the Gazzetta, Inzaghi should have instead focused on the attack.
It was clear by the hour-mark that neither Lautaro Martinez nor Marcus Thuram were having a good night.
Therefore, the Gazzetta argue, Inzaghi could have instead made an attacking change to try and change the dynamic of the derby.
