Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2: Inter Milan 2021/22 Tactical Analysis

Excerpts of the following tactical analysis article by Ryan Gunness from January 25, 2022 is courtesy of Breaking The Lines: https://breakingthelines.com/tactical-analysis/simone-inzaghis-3-5-2-inter-milan-2021-22-tactical-analysis/.

In just six months, Simone Inzaghi has turned Antonio Conte’s defensive dynasty into one of Europe’s most attacking outfits.

Known for their lethal counter-attacks, Inzaghi has evolved Inter Milan into a possession-based, attacking unit, placing their side amongst the most exciting teams to watch this season and giving Inter a four-point lead atop Serie A (with a game in hand on Milan and Napoli). But just what makes Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 a cut above the rest?

System Mechanics

Despite having a back-3 on paper (A), Inzaghi uses a makeshift back-4 (B) in order to progress play.

Here, he implements a staggered 2-3-3-2 structure (C) to combat the opposition’s press with quick, vertical progression of play (D).

Since opposing teams usually press with central-overloads (E), attacks usually begin from wide areas through Inter’s wide CB as such. Here, the wide CB operates as a fullback, allowing the WB to advance forward into winger-like positions as a result (F).

As the ball progresses, Inter’s CM and ST join the fold, creating a wide overload as such in attack (G).

Within this structure, Inter uses a “total football” approach. Here, “every outfield player is able to play in any position as required during the course of the game”, making Inzaghi’s men near impossible to mark/close down.

The following are examples of such rotations (H-J), whereby the structure of Inter’s build-up remains constant, despite alternating personnel.

For the rest of the tactical analysis by Ryan Gunness from January 25, 2022, please go to Breaking The Lines: https://breakingthelines.com/tactical-analysis/simone-inzaghis-3-5-2-inter-milan-2021-22-tactical-analysis/.