Inter Milan Under Simone Inzaghi: Tactical Analysis of the 2022-23 Season
Inter Milan’s 2022-23 campaign has been a showcase of resilience, consistency, and tactical clarity, positioning them to contend for both the Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League finals. Under the direction of Simone Inzaghi, Inter has preserved much of the structural identity from Antonio Conte’s tenure, while introducing refinements that have amplified the team’s strengths across Serie A and European competitions. This in-depth tactical breakdown explores the key components driving Inter Milan’s sterling season.
Strategic Foundations: The Enduring 3-5-2 Formation
Central to Inter Milan’s identity is their reliable 3-5-2 system. This formation, a hallmark since Conte’s arrival, has proved adaptable and effective under Inzaghi’s management. The arrangement leverages a core group of seasoned professionals and new faces, ensuring seamless transitions and tactical stability regardless of personnel changes.
The forward partnership has consistently revolved around Lautaro Martinez, a dynamic striker who complements various “target man” partners, including Romelu Lukaku and Edin Džeko. Joaquin Correa, brought in from Lazio, offers depth and a different skill set in attack.
In midfield, Nicolò Barella’s tireless runs add thrust and unpredictability, supporting attacks with well-timed forward surges. The orchestrator’s role often falls to either Marcelo Brozović or Hakan Çalhanoğlu, depending on match dynamics. Çalhanoğlu’s conversion from a traditional attacking midfielder to a deep-lying playmaker allows Henrikh Mkhitaryan to inject creativity and attacking impetus from central areas.
Wing-back roles have evolved, with Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries forming the primary duo. Their 17 combined goal contributions in Serie A and the Champions League highlight their importance in both phases.
Defensively, Alessandro Bastoni anchors the left of the back three, excelling at steady progression and ball distribution. Francesco Acerbi has become Inzaghi’s preferred sweeper, utilizing his leadership and anticipation at the heart of defense, while Matteo Darmian’s adaptability shines on the right, particularly when Milan Skriniar is unavailable due to injury. In goal, André Onana’s composed distribution and shot-stopping have ushered in a new era following Samir Handanović’s lengthy reign.
This formation’s versatility means that, even when key players are rotated, Inter’s principles remain intact, with tactical tweaks rather than structural overhauls.
Defensive Structure and Adaptive Press
Inter Milan’s defensive approach is defined by discipline, collective commitment, and tactical versatility. The team regularly maintains approximately 56.6% possession but remains fiercely committed to shutting down opponents when out of possession.
The defensive unit’s flexibility is evident in their mid-block and high-block pressing schemes. The front two and back three preserve shape while central midfielders—typically Barella or Mkhitaryan—press higher as play shifts laterally, forming an angled, conveyor-belt style of defending. The holding midfielder screens passing lanes and tracks forwards dropping between the lines, maintaining compactness.
The outside center-backs, especially Bastoni and Darmian, are afforded the license to step up and confront attackers away from the penalty area, supported by the sweeper and opposite center-back dropping behind, creating a temporary back four when necessary.
Wing-backs operate with pendular movement, advancing to apply pressure high up the pitch when the ball reaches their zone, or tucking into a back five if play is consolidated defensively. This synchronization restricts opponents’ ability to switch play and exploit wide areas, with the far-side wing-back and midfield three providing cover and balance.
Although Inter is generally difficult to break down, lapses in structure—particularly if wing-backs are caught too high—can expose spaces, as seen against Benfica. These moments, however, are rare due to the team’s collective ability to quickly reorganize in transition, with central density preventing direct counter-attacks and flanking speed minimizing exposure on the transition.
In settled phases, Inter’s defensive block crowds the box and stifles crossing lanes, especially effective when adopting a deeper stance. This approach suffocates opponents and often wins possession in dangerous zones, creating opportunities for quick transitions.
Offensive Patterns and Build-Up Play
While defensively robust, Inter Milan’s attack is direct, structured, and highly effective. Their possession phases embody the advantages of the 3-5-2, focusing on precise progression, quick transitional attacking, and exploiting half-spaces.
Ball progression frequently starts with the outside center-backs, most notably Bastoni, who initiates attacks by carrying forward or delivering long diagonal passes to strikers or wide areas. Unlike sides that constantly rotate positions, Inzaghi’s squad operates with defined roles, ensuring players occupy specific zones to maintain balance and maximize effectiveness.
Inter’s central threat is enhanced by the synchronized advances of Bastoni and Barella. Bastoni’s incursions into the left half-space draw defensive attention, opening corridors for Barella’s well-timed runs on the right, often culminating in incisive through balls or overloads.
Wing-backs play a vital part in both creating and finishing chances. Dimarco excels at early, accurate crosses from deep and wide areas, frequently connecting with attackers or even Dumfries arriving at the far post. Dumfries, in contrast, relies on athleticism to attack the right flank and add numbers inside the box.
The partnership up front is designed for both direct and link-up play. Martinez’s mobility and ball-carrying combine with the hold-up prowess of Džeko or Lukaku, enabling Inter to bypass lines and immediately target advanced areas. This dynamic is supported by midfielders closing in, facilitating lay-offs, third-man runs, and creating triangles in advanced positions.
Inter also demonstrates tactical variety in building from the back. Commonly, the side forms a diamond shape utilizing the goalkeeper, center-backs, and deep midfielder (Brozović or Çalhanoğlu), generating numerical superiority in the first phase. At times, an outside center-back advances higher to drag opponents out of position, freeing wing-backs to set higher and stretch play. Alternatively, pushing the central center-back up can open central progression lanes, offering versatility when facing diverse pressing schemes.
Transition phases are where Inter can be most lethal. A rapid switch from defense to attack sees wing-backs and midfielders joining the strikers to overwhelm opposition defensive lines before they can reset. This approach was particularly impactful in key fixtures, such as their semi-final victories against AC Milan, where clinical, fast-paced counters punished any positional indiscipline.
Key Principles and Standout Individuals
Several core principles underpin Inter Milan’s consistent performance:
– Formation integrity: Consistent use of the 3-5-2 regardless of rotation.
– Strong spine: Central defenders, midfielders, and forwards contribute leadership and tactical intelligence.
– Disciplined pressing: Structured block with adaptive positioning to control space and limit transitions.
– Direct, efficient attack: Minimal positional rotation, maximizing defined player strengths.
– Dynamic wing-backs: Direct involvement in attacking phases and diligent retreating on defense.
Individual contributions have further elevated these principles. Bastoni’s progressive passing and proactive defending have made him a standout “ball-playing defender.” Dimarco’s creativity and five assists in just ten Champions League matches highlight his pivotal role. Martinez’s blend of pace, skill, and versatility makes him a central figure in the attack, while the presence of experienced forwards—Džeko and Lukaku—provides tactical flexibility in different match scenarios.
Conclusion: Inzaghi’s Inter Milan—A Model of Consistency and Adaptation
Simone Inzaghi has engineered a team defined by balance, adaptability, and enduring identity. By refining the foundation laid by his predecessor and introducing nuanced positional and personnel adjustments, he has positioned Inter Milan as one of Europe’s most efficiently structured clubs.
Building on a familiar 3-5-2 foundation, the Nerazzurri’s blend of direct attacking play, disciplined defense, and collective synchrony saw them excel both domestically and in the Champions League. Whether dictating tempo in possession or absorbing pressure and countering with intent, Inter under Inzaghi have set a modern standard for cohesive team play.
As the season concludes, with silverware within reach, Inter Milan’s tactical evolution under Inzaghi will be remembered as a testament to the power of clear principles, squad versatility, and astute in-game management.
