Torino – Internazionale: Final Battle Plans Are Tried and Tested (0-1)

One week before the Champions League final, Internazionale had a final opportunity to rehearse their methods. Torino laid the perfect ground for them to execute, but when the hosts adapted in the second half, where Inter able to cope that well?
Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Battles aren’t won on the battlefield but in their preparation and momentum. 

When Inter began the march to Istanbul, they were unreliable in holding leads, vulnerable in defensive situations and Inzaghi’s decisions would hinder rather than help. A Champions League final was not destined, but five clean sheets in the knockout stages kept them bound to the path ahead. Inter has withheld its momentum, with ten wins in eleven games going into the final Serie A match day. Simone Inzaghi’s men have built steam, but a defeat at Torino could be the choke that drastically disrupts the flow.

Torino missed out on the crazy fight for European spots, but still pose as one of the better defensive blocks in Serie A, despite spending the last two seasons in midtable. Ivan Jurić has established his team in a 3-4-2-1 formation that adopts wide circulation but doesn’t score that much. Nevertheless, only four clubs had conceded fewer goals throughout the campaign than Torino, a stern away trip on the final day for Inter. 

Jurić named an unchanged Torino team, from the lineup that smashed Spezia 4-0. Meanwhile, Inter brought Stefan de Vrij to the middle of the back three, with Robin Gosens and Roberto Gagliardini also coming in from the side that

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