Simon Inzaghi Tactic against Barcelona 2nd Leg UCL Semi Final
In this post, I will discuss Simon Inzaghi Tactic against Barcelona 2nd Leg of the Champions League. The match was an intense and very interesting match to watch, one of the best semi-final matches. The match ended in extra time with a 4-3 scoreline in Inter’s favour.
In the tactical setup, Simon Inzaghi used his regular 3-5-2 tactic with the same lineup as the first leg. With no further ado, let’s get into the details of the tactic.
Simon Inzaghi Tactic against Barcelona 2nd Leg | Tactical Instructions
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In Possession
Inter built up plays from the back, Sommer also took direct kicks from goal kicks in that game. In the build-up play, back-3, Bastoni, Acerbi, and Bisseck stayed along the box, Dimarco and Dumfries stayed wide at the flanks. Çalhanoğlu dropped deeper with Mkhitaryan and Barella forming double pivots above him, just like in the first leg.
While still in possession, Inter Milan focused their plays mainly through the right side of the pitch, rather than through the middle of the field, due to the threat of Dumfries there against Gerrard Martin. Inter Milan still used shorter passes, at very high tempo ball movements, even though they didn’t dominate possession, just like the first leg. Across the final third, Inter used overlaps on both sides of the field.
In Transition
Inter used a wide attacking width. During attacks, the wing-backs, Dimarco and Dumfries, stayed wide at the flanks, Bisseck sometimes pushed a little further towards Barca’s half. Calhanoglu was the deepest midfielder, while Mkhitaryan and Barella operated in half-spaces. Martinez dropped deep from the No. 9 while Thuram was the furthest attacker. The attacking positions of the players looked similar to the one of first leg.
In the final third, Inzaghi’s men worked the ball into the box often. When Inter won the ball on the break, they transitioned to fluid counterattacks. Inter either regrouped or counterpressed when they lost the ball in the first half, but in the second half and extra time, Inter Milan were regrouping when they lost possession.
Out Of Possession
In terms of the pressing strategy, the pressing intensity was more often. The line of engagement was higher in the first half, but in the second leg, the line of engagement was mid-block. The defensive line was higher, but it was standard in the 2nd half, when Barca were in possession in their own half.
In defensive situations, they defended in a 5-3-2 shape. They also defended compactly, forcing the Barca outside, due to their trap opposition’s attackers rather than an inside strategy. The defenders dropped off the defensive line to defend closer to their goal.
Simon Inzaghi Tactic against Barcelona 2nd Leg | Formation Lineup
Simon Inzaghi Tactic against Barcelona 2nd Leg | Role Selections
GK
Sommer was a sweeper keeper on defence duty. He put in one of the best performances in the Champions League semi-finals.
CDs
Bastoni and Bisseck were wide centre-backs on defence and support duties, respectively, just like in the first leg. Bisseck sometimes joined the attack while Bastoni was more defensive to help Dimarco contend with Yamal.
Acerbi was a ball-playing defender on cover duty. He sat behind the defensive line to carry out his defensive duties, like clearing the ball from danger. He scored Inter’s most important goal, which was the equaliser
WBs
Dimarca and Dumfries were wing-backs on support duties. He stayed wide on both flanks when the team advanced to attacks and hit crosses into the box. Dimarco was sloppy in the game, Yamal was getting past him easily, just like in the first leg. Dumfries was also incredible in that game, totally the right side of the attack.
DM
Hakan Çalhanoğlu was a defensive midfielder on defensive duty. Çalhanoğlu was defensive as Barca had most of the ball, trying to protect the midfield, similar to the first leg.
CMs
Barella was a box-to-box midfielder. In the offensive situation, he would get forward to aid the attacks and track back to support the defence.
Mkhitaryan was a carrilero. He was covering the lateral positions of the field, plus he was aiding Dimarco contain Yamal, which wasn’t positive. Frattesi replaced Mkhitaryan, who scored the winner for Inter.
CFs
Lautaro Martinez was a deep-lying forward on support duty just like before. He dropped to the midfield to aid the midfielders in building up attacks. He scored the opener for the game. Teremi, who replaced him, was a target forward on support duty.
Thuram was a target forward on attacking duty. He was the furthest Inter Milan attacker, guarding the ball with his body before laying it off. Thuram was very active in the match, winning more aerial duels than Barcelona’s head and his great dribbling against Araujo led to the winner.
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