In the first Milan derby of the 24/25 season did not dissapoint on an entertainment and especially not tactically as we saw an incredible battle on the sidelines between Simeone Inzaghi (Inter manager) and Paulo Foncesca (AC Milan manager).
AC Milan are the team that started on the front foot and took Inter by suprise by using a 4-2-4 out of position shape. Inter struggled to find a way through this compact block which allowed AC Milan to take an early lead through a turnover high up the pitch and a bit of individual brilliance from Pulisic to finish the move. An example of the shape can be seen below as AC Milan attempted to prevent Inter from playing through the midfield.
Inzaghis response to this however was brilliant. With a 3 2 5 build up shape. When deep in build up Barella or Çalhanoğlu would drop into the back 3 which would then allow Bastoni to hold the width as a left back while Di Marco inverted to create a narrow front three and threaten a 3v3 with AC Milans defence if Inter chose to play direct through the press which they did for there equaliser with Barella playing a direct Long ball to Di marco who linked up with Latauro in 3v3 scenario scoring a well worked Inter goal. Going in the better team at half time Inter could have been happy with there response but the problem they had was they could not find a simple way through AC Milans 4-2-4 block and were constantly forced to go direct.
Again at the start of the second half AC Milan started fast. Inter Milan again sturggled to deal with there build up shape as they assumed a fluid 3-1-6 build up shape. Inters midfield struggled to deal with this build up shape again getting pinned back by Pulisic inverting and dropping deep and alos Morata dropping deep to create an overload in the middle. Inzaghis response to this was to press there back three man to man with 5-2-3 pressing shape which did not work for long however as Foncesca responded by bringing a full back back to create a staggered back 4 which then allowed AC Milan to freely move past Inters high press. 5-3-2 can be seen below.
Inters attacking threat in the second half came primarily from two areas. One being Lautauro Martinez dropping deep and the second being Bastoni and Di Marco creating 2v2 on the left. Inzaghi tackled the 4-2-4 in a different manner in the second half telling Lauturo Martinez to drop in and Create a 3v2 in the midfield which allowed inter to progress more freely however the main problem for Inter was there inability to break through AC Milans low block. There Main attempt to break down the low block was by utilising Bastoni and Di Marco in a 2v2 on the left with Di Marco holding width and Bastoni siiting in the inside channel. However AC Milan were brilliant defensivley and dealt with every cross that went into the box. AC Milan were happy to sit back and play on the counter for the last 25 minutes which they did very effectively and eventually in 87th minute they got the winning goal they deserved through Gabbia.
Overall this was a very fascinating tactical affair between the two Milan clubs where Fonsesca got the better of Inzaghi and orchestrated one of the biggest upsets of the season so far. All feedback is aprecciated and please show some love if you enjoyed the article.
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