Lazio Roma – Internazionale: Momentarily Inspired Lazio Match Inter’s New Defensive Outfit (1-1)

Antonio Conte chose to field a more defensive-minded version of his 3-4-1-2 formation. He slotted in Barella, Vidal and Gagliardini in order to enhance the defense, but this also helped Inter dominating big periods of the first half. However, with intensity dropping and Inzaghi presenting a more aggressive side in the second half, the match became more balanced and ended in a draw, courtesy of Lautaro Martínez’ and Sergej Milinković-Savić.
Tactical analysis and match report by Thanos Chelas.

After five goals conceded in the first two matches of the new Serie A season, and taking into account Antonio Conte’s more conservative first eleven choices in last season’s crucial Europa League matches, the midfield three consisting of Arturo Vidal, Roberto Gagliardini and Nicolò Barella was more than expected for this match.

This midfield trio was selected in order to offer more security against Lazio’s Milinković-Savić and Luis Alberto as well as to give the freedom to the two very attacking minded wing-backs, Ivan Perišić and Achraf Hakimi, to push up. Upfront, Lautaro Martínez and Romelu Lukaku were getting supported by Nicolò Barella in his atypical number ten role in this 3-4-1-2 formation, which was full of midfield rotations.

On the other side, Simone Inzaghi held no surprises as he presented a first eleven we have witnessed many times before, in his favorite 3-5-2 shape.

Adam Marušić and Manuel Lazzari offered width in their wing-back roles, while the central midfield duo of Sergej Milinković-Savić and Luis Alberto supported the strikers Joaquín Correa and Ciro Immobile.

Lazio waits as Inter controls the game