Inter And Juventus Cancel Each Other Out In An Interesting Tactical Battle

It was thoroughly exciting, edge of the seat stuff as Inter and Juventus played out a low-scoring stalemate at the San Siro. In retrospect, the share of the spoils was indeed a fair result judging by the performances both sides put in. Mauro Icardi opened the scoring for Inter while Arturo Vidal got Juventus back on level terms.

Line-Ups

Inter (3-5-1-1):Ai??Handanovic; Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus; Jonathan, Guarin, Cambiasso, Taider, Nagatomo; Alvarez; Palacio

Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Vucinic, Tevez

Both managers are known to stick to their favorite eleven and thatai??i??s exactly what transpired. Inter and Juve deployed teams with players that surprised little. For the home side, a first start of the season was handed to Saphir Taider. Mateo Kovacic started from the bench offering the thought that Mazzarri wanted a bit of steel and tenacity in midfield in favor of craft and creativity. The Algerian responded well to the faith shown in him and certainly wasnai??i??t overawed by the occasion.

As for Juventus, Conte decided to make no changes to the side that was widely predicted to start. Mirko Vucinic was given the nod ahead of Fabio Quagliarella and Fernando Llorente, which was perhaps the only decision that evoked questions. Looking back upon the game and those questions seem warranted. Vucinic looked off-color and slower than usual. Clearly not 100% fit after he suffered an injury on duty with Montenegro; Conte took the gamble on the striker, a gamble that definitely didnai??i??t need to be taken.

Tactics ai??i?? Alvarez Mazzarriai??i??s Main Man

While the two teams did have similar formations, the philosophies of the two coaches were in stark contrast. Everyone knows how Mazzarriai??i??s teams operate: Solid, compact sides that live to counter-attack. Thatai??i??s a formula that Mazzarri has used throughout his coaching career and more importantly, itai??i??s a formula that has worked to devastating effect. It wasnai??i??t going to be any different against Juventus. His side sat deep and allowed Juventus to keep a hold of possession, inviting them to attack and trying to lure them to commit the numbers forward in a bid to hit them with pace. What was integral to this well-devised plan was Ricky Alvarez. On a day when Canela Alvarez was dominated by Floyd Mayweather, it was Ricky Alvarez that stole the headlines for the right reasons.

The young Argentine has had his critics during his Inter career but slowly, this season, he has been living up to the talent that the Nerazzurri saw in him. Playing in the hole behind Palacio, Alvarez was given the license to roam and find pockets of space when Inter owned possession.

When Juve had the ball, however, it was Alvarezai??i??s job to drop back and crowd the midfield area. What you then had was a congested centre of the pitch with little room for players to maneuver. This resulted in a cagey feel to the game.

The Introduction of Mauro Icardi Spiced Things Up

A manager is heavily judged by the substitutions he makes during the course of the game. To alter your side midway speaks volumes of the managerai??i??s caliber. Mazzarri took the initiative with 22 minutes on the clock and decided to bring on Mauro Icardi for Saphir Taider. Five minutes later he would find the back of the net. It was an inspired substitution by Mazzarri.

Icardiai??i??s introduction pushed Alvarez back into a position Taider previously held. Having pick-pocketed Juventus off possession twice before, the excellent Alvarez was third time lucky. Giorgio Chiellini was the victim this time showing a bit of hesitation and indecisiveness. Alvarez slipped the ball to Icardi, who finished off neatly. It was a goal that didnai??i??t betray his burgeoning reputation as the scourge of Juventus. Four goals in three games against the Bianconeri, the Inter faithful will hope he follows in the footsteps of previous Juventus tormenter, Julio Cruz.

But the flipside to Mazzarriai??i??s change in tactics was that Arturo Vidal would now have a bit more time to express himself. Juventus refused to throw in the towel and a couple of minutes later saw Asamoah bulldoze past Jonathan and Campagnaro, his drag-back found Vidal who prodded home from 12 yards. The Chilean has the knack to find himself at the right place and at the right time but shockingly enough, he was unmarked.

Ricky Alvarez who had dropped back from midfield and was tasked with a different role now, failed to track Vidalai??i??s sneaky little run into the box. Credit has to be given to the persistence Kwadwo Asamoah displayed on the wing. On the night, Asamoah was pretty poor but his one major contribution was probably his saving grace.

What We Learned

This was the first real litmus test for either side. Given the circumstances of the game with players coming off a tiresome International break both will come away satisfied. Juventus are favorites for the Scudetto and once again proved just why that title has been persistent with them. The mental strength and never-say-die attitude that has been inculcated by Conte came to the fore once again as they equalized two minutes after conceding. The Bianconeri could have even snatched the three points had it not been for a criminal miss from Mauricio Isla.

For Inter, their new season has brought about renewed optimism, a breath of fresh air at the San Siro for a side that rotted in mid-table. Walter Mazzarri does look like the man to steer Inter in the right direction. Mazzarri has given Inter an identity that was sorely lacked. Players have taken to the ideas heai??i??s tried to impart quite quickly. The stats donai??i??t lie, two wins and a draw is an encouraging start and Interai??i??s revival looks well set in motion.

Tags: Internazionale Juventus

Inter And Juventus Cancel Each Other Out In An Interesting Tactical Battle

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