UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEMS
Both teams played the 4-3-1-2 systems they have used in recent weeks. Maicon looked to bomb forward as expected though he made a good number of runs inside whenever the right flank was well defended against. Cambiasso also made forward runs from his position in midfield and Zanetti was the holding midfielder for Inter for a good part of the game. Stankovic also joined the midfield when defending but made forward runs very frequently especially on the break to form an attacking trio with Eto’o and Milito. Eto’o played as a roaming forward drifting to the flanks especially the left flank.
1st Half Line-Ups
Both teams played the 4-3-1-2 systems they have used in recent weeks. Maicon looked to bomb forward as expected though he made a good number of runs inside whenever the right flank was well defended against. Cambiasso also made forward runs from his position in midfield and Zanetti was the holding midfielder for Inter for a good part of the game. Stankovic also joined the midfield when defending but made forward runs very frequently especially on the break to form an attacking trio with Eto’o and Milito. Eto’o played as a roaming forward drifting to the flanks especially the left flank.
Bologna played a similar system but the key differences were in the runs of both teams. Rubin and Garics advanced on the flanks whenever play was being built-up on either’s respective flank. Mudingayi played a holding midfielder with Diego Pérez and Dello Rocca beside him. Gastón Ramírez played a similar tole to Eto’o for Bologna so both sides lined up in similar fashion.
AS IT PLAYED OUT
As any casual observer would note, there is a great gap in quality between both sides. This was the defining factor in the first half.
Inter pressed Bologna from the front so Bologna usually resorted to long-balls. Bologna also employed the same pressing system with Inter from time to time but Inter players responded to this by having their more advanced players drop deep to get on the ball to relieve their back-line so Inter could still build up play. Bologna’s source of creativity, Albin Ekdal was usually crowded out by the Inter defensive midfielders though Bologna still attempted some quick passing moves in the Inter half but most of these especially on the right flank never resulted in anything mostly due to a lack of technical ability and Inter tackling/marking.
Generally Inter were quite comfortable whenever Bologna attempted attacks as they had a spare man when defending as Stankovic would drop into midfield and would increase Inter’s number in the middle to limit Bologna moves (Mudingayi was a pure holding midfielder). Bologna also failed in switching the ball across flanks to exploit any forward runs made by Rubin or Garics.
It also should be noted Bologna were quite comfortable whenever Inter attacked. The most unsettling periods for them occurred whenever Inter were able to switch the ball quickly to Maicon in an advanced unmarked position and he created a number of reasonable chances for his side with crosses though this option wasn’t also exploited to the maximum. The absence of a right winger for Bologna was largely responsible for Maicon’s ability to move unwatched as Gastón Ramírez was usually on the other flank pinning Chivu down.
BOLOGNA AT HOME WITH MISTAKES
The difference between both sides would occur when Bologna made mistakes. Mudingayi under negligible pressure received the ball in midfield and slipped the ball to Eto’o who was beside him. Eto’o then ran at the defence on the left and released Stankovic who had made a trademark run from deep which had been unpicked. Stankovic slotted it past Emiliano Viviano who stood little chance.
Again Bologna managed to repeat this same mistake and this time, Motta slipped in Diego Milito whose superb positioning helped him score to put Bologna two up. The Bologna defence was caught off-guard and out of shape twice and Inter made them pay.
2ND HALF CHANGES – HENRY COMES IN
Bring on the Henry
The 2nd half began in similar manner for both sides till Coach Malesani made a change bringing off Mudingayi for Henry Giménez. This change on any other day could have changed the game. Poor technical ability in the final third for Bologna hindered Bologna. Ramirez retained his position making more inward runs. Dello Rocca and Pérez became the two deepest midfielders creating a double pivot. Albin Ekdal dropped deep to pick up the ball and Di Vaio roamed more dropping deep and these helped Bologna retain possession very well. The key man was Giménez who seemed able to ghost past Inter defenders. He roamed the pitch popping up on the left creating chances and also creating more options/angles for Bologna up-front. Bologna also pressed Inter but this time, no one dropped deep to relieve the Inter defenders so the resulting passes returned the ball back to Bologna. Bologna kept possession well and created a number of chances with Giménez being the culprit as he was on the end of the best chance Bologna created.
Inter rarely ever had the moves and control they had exerted over the first half but they did the best with the little they could muster. In a very short passing move, the ball was slipped to Eto’o in the left channel he had occupied for most of the game whose mesmerizing skill proved too much for the Bologna back-line. Receiving the ball on the left,, he completed a brilliant one-two with Milito whose movement was brilliant too. Eto’o slotted the ball into the net after this combo under no pressure from any Bologna defender though the box held more than 5 Bologna defenders.
At this point, it was obvious Bologna were not getting back but Bologna managed a consolation. Gimenez who was the Man of the Match for Bologna grabbed one from a Bologna corner after his shot was sent out for a corner by Castelazzi. This leaves one wondering what might have happened if Bologna got more of their chances on target when their domination of the game began.
SAMUEL ETO’O BRILLIANCE
After the third goal for Inter, everyone realized Bologna had lost this game and Inter grew more into the game though never reaching the heights attained in the first half. Zanetti won a free-kick and Samuel Eto’o “moved” the resulting free-kick into the net. Eto’o had been brilliant all game previously providing an assist and scoring one. This beautiful goal was well-deserved to cap off what had been a brilliant night for the Cameroonian hitman. After this, the game was settled with Bologna dominating without creating. Eto’o came off for his standing ovation and Javier Zanetti came off to receive a standing ovation on a night when he equalled Giuseppe Bergomi’s record of 519 appearances in the league.
OVERVIEW
– This match wasn’t a game primarily down to tactics as most of it was decided by the quality of the players on both sides.
– From a Bologna perspective, the scoreline might be deemed unfair but when mistakes are made against the top sides, top sides usually take advantage.
– This performance from Inter sends out a very strong message to the rest of the Serie A as their top players all seem to be clicking into gear and there’s the feelgood factor. Though when that first defeat comes, how will Inter respond?
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