Three possible options for Strama’s Inter.
Appiano Gentile – For now, it is just a hypothesis. However, do not be surprised if sooner or later – perhaps even tonight in Turin, we would see Inter playing with a defense of three. This solution would be a logical choice tactically but it is also something hard to believe for many reasons. The system of three-man defense was the center piece in the controversy that led to the sacking of Gian Piero Gasperini 12 months ago. At that time, it was said that the team was historically used to play four behind and the players were not so convinced. So came a kind of de-legitimization of the coach’s ideas by everyone, the team and management.
Probable lineup against Torino.
Flexibility Stramaccioni is thinking about this possibility because he wants a flexible Inter, one that can adapt to the opponent. That is why tonight it is likely that Ranocchia and one of Samuel and Juan Jesus will be used in the defense. But, seeing how Torino like to play in a 4-2-4 formation, the Roman coach of Inter is itching to play all three. The fact remains that if there is the defense of three, we must see how the rest of the team will adapt to it. A solution that would provide a lot of cover is with five men in the midfield: Nagatomo, Pereira wide with Zanetti, Guarin, Cambiasso and Gargano to play for the three spots in the middle. But this would eliminate the one thing that Strama likes the most: playing three men in the attack. Indeed, with a 3-5-2, Milito could only play with one of Sneijder, Cassano, Palacio, Coutinho and Alvarez.
More offensive solution That’s because – being a coach who prefers to create rather than destroy the football game – Strama is more likely to use the substance of Zanetti, Guarin, Cambiasso and Pereira without touching the trio of Sneijder, Cassano and Milito. The trio that against Pescara and Roma has given Inter four goals in two games. Cassano has one assist and a goal against the Giallorossi. Sneijder scored against Pescara thanks to Milito’s assist who also scored his own goal and provided another assist for Coutinho.