Inzaghi, Fonseca and the Cage

Paulo Fonseca discovered redemption with a 2-1 win over Milan metropolis rivals Inter on Sunday: listed below are three issues we realized within the derby della Madonnina final evening.

Fonseca

All eyes have been on the Portuguese coach, who stunned Inter with a tactical change that, to be truthful, had been anticipated on the eve of the sport. Fonseca picked a 4-4-2 formation with Tammy Abraham and Alvaro Motata in assault. On paper, it was reverse to what the Portuguese had stated on the eve of the sport when he claimed Milan ought to have stored the ball possession to not be weak in defence. As an alternative, Fonseca accepted to offer the ball to Inter at occasions, and though there wasn’t a large hole in ball possession (57% to 43% for Inter), the Rossoneri didn’t need to press excessive or maintain a excessive line in any respect prices. It was a tactic that had price them a number of defeats in opposition to Inter up to now, and Fonseca was sensible in altering the Rossoneri method, saving his job as effectively. Is it a brand new begin for Milan?

Inzaghi

Alternatively, Inter coach Inzaghi attracted criticism from followers and media for a debatable use of substitutions and for his over-reliance on gamers who’re removed from their greatest form. Inzaghi changed Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni and Hakan Calhanoglu within the second half. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was additionally subbed off, however the ex-Armenia worldwide has been removed from final season’s requirements, so on this case, the substitution was not essentially an issue, however the truth that he’s thought of an untouchable participant in central midfield should be questioned now. Piotr Zielinski’s dynamism had been a tactical key in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, and even when the Poland worldwide didn’t have a big impression within the derby, he’s most likely a greater match than Mkhitaryan for a beginning spot at the moment. One other substitute, Davide Frattesi, was crushed by Matteo Gabbia for Milan’s late winner, and there’s an unanswered query in regards to the ex-Sassuolo star. Can he begin with Nicolò Barella, or is he solely his backup?

Gabbia

It needed to be him. The Milan academy product had already put in a superb defensive efficiency earlier than his late winner, which can be a turning level for the Rossoneri this season. Italian media joked with Gabbia’s surname on Monday, saying that Milan put ‘Inter within the cage‘, which is the literal English translation of Gabbia’s surname. It’s a joke that Fikayo Tomori additionally made as he wrote to his teammate on Instagram after the sport: ‘I like you, Matthew Cage.’ Jokes apart, the Rossoneri defender changed summer time signing Strahinja Pavlović with an excellent character and a way of belonging that’s a lot wanted in key video games just like the derby. But once more, it was one other courageous determination from Fonseca and it paid off. Now Milan and their defender have precisely the identical goal: maintain the momentum going and be constant over the following few months, to not waste an important and partially sudden win.