NO CHANGES
Both managers kept with the established systems that have served them well over the last few weeks. Francesco Guidolin played his 3-5-2 system as shown on the diagram. Di Natale mostly played off the last man while Alexis Sanchez continued to thrive in his new central role. Inler played a holding role with a tendency to join the attack at the odd time.
Isla usually retained the width on the right and Pinzi moved into the right channel often also. With Alexis Sanchez also preferring the right-hand-flank to drift into, Udinese frequently created a Sanchez-Pinzi-Isla triangle which worked well. Pablo Armero occupied the left flank with help from Kwadwo Asamoah. With Di Natale, this trio also formed an attacking triangle on the left flank though this triangle was more centrally positioned than the triangle on the right. Benetia and Domizzi man-marked both Eto’o and Pandev with Zapata helping out whenever necessary.
Leonardo’s Inter set out to play his 4-3-1-2 system as shown below. The system wasn’t dissimilar from the system covered here (Inter 4-1 Bologna).
AS IT PLAYED OUT
Inter usually played the ball into Chivu, who then hoofed the ball up the pitch towards the forwards which often gave possession away cheaply. Castelazzi’s distribution was also the long-kick and with the Inter attacking personnel, this clearly wasn’t successful.
From the start Udinese were always intent on possession retention. Handanovic usually released to Isla on the right. Isla sometimes attempted quick balls to Di Natele or Sanchez but he usually advanced on the right flank. Pinzi drifted into the same channel and Alexis Sanchez man-marked by Cambiasso completed the already named triangle. Udinese had the technique and understanding to play their way round the Inter markers with the intention of creating time and space for a cross. These crosses were aimed at the far post for Di Natale or for late runners into the box. The pressure from this zone was highly felt by Inter who at one point had Eto’o trying to tackle Alexis Sanchez but credit has to go to the trio for being able to retain possession under pressure (An attribute present throughout the Udinese squad today).
Inter responded to this by withdrawing Stankovic into the deeper midfield regions and moving the Chivu and Maicon in line with the rest of the midfield. This way, Inter were able to dominate for a few minutes. All these occurred within the first 15 minutes of the game. During this period of Inter slight domination, Inter advanced down the right channel and their pressing game paid dividends. Thiago Motta slotted a ball through to Dejan Stankovic who from his deep position made a late run into the box to score.
After this goal, Udinese had more possession again as Inter decided to rely more on their ability to counter the Zebrette. Udinese employed a particular pressing system. Whenever they lost the ball, their players would press hard especially when Inter players were facing their goal. After sometime, they would return to their usual shape if the ball wasn’t won.
The decision to utilize this system and win the ball early when lost, if ever possible, thereby applying pressure was key in scoring the equalizer. The ball was won by Kwadwo Asamoah when Inter tried to launch a counter after defending a corner. The ball was then passed to Zapata who smashed his shot into the net.
Udinese continued to dominate frequently utilizing their right-flank-trio. Isla pressed high up on that flank in a manner not too dissimilar from what Daniel Alves sometimes does at Barcelona. During one of these periods, Inler advanced forward and was fouled in Di Natale territory. Di Natale converted the Free-kick from the edge of the area to send Udinese up.
As Udinese went up, Inter tried to settle into a possession based system. Chivu no longer hit the hurried balls to the forwards and Cambiasso bombed forward to join the attack leaving Sanchez in the hands of Zanetti. Inter were able to pin the Udinese wing-backs deep in their half by the simultaneous wide movement of both forwards, Pandev and Eto’o. When either dropped deep as Eto’o did quite often, Benetia would track him but if he moved wide when Inter dominated possession, Isla would retreat into the flank. This would leave Chivu free. During one of these occasions, Chivu with time and space crossed into the box for Cambiasso who failed in his effort to get his header on target.
Udinese responded by attempting quick balls to either Di Natale or Sanchez with Isla and Pinzi getting forward very quickly to offer support. If these counters failed to yield result, Udinese settled into a passing routine. Asamoah’s willingness to tuck in and Inler’s magnificient composure was key in Udinese’s ability to retain possession. Asamoah’s central possession also meant he formed the previously named triangle of Armero, Asamoah and Di Natale which caused some trouble for Inter.
2ND HALF
Inter began the second half dominating and Udinese resorted to hitting Inter on the break. Di Natale temporarily retreated into a false 9 role and was unpicked by the Inter defence which became a bit loose. From this position, he created a chance for Pinzi who beat the offside trap but couldn’t put the ball past Castelazzi in a 1-v-1 situation. Di Natale’s movement from deep also handed him a chance from a cut-back pass which he failed to capitalize on.
Handanovic’s throwing and kicking were also on display today. He released Di Natale on the break in a wide left role and training ground attacking moves were being activated with Udinese looking the more dangerous sides. Inter resorted to some tactical fouling to break up such moves. Whenever Udinese settled into the passing game on the right flank, Armero was usually free and though Udinese didn’t exploit this option enough, whenever Armero was realeased, he stretched the defence down the left and it took some last ditch defending to prevent him from creating chances for his teammates.
As Inter resorted to tactical fouls, they gave away free-kicks and Domizzi had a free-kick which he almost converted from one of these situations. Inler then made another forward run and he was fouled. The resulting free-kick was cleared by Inter. The clearance was headed back in by Kwadwo Asamoah whose header was met by Domizzi to score in scrappy fashion. Inter had conceded from two set-piece situations when Inler had been fouled.
Inter tried to retain possession once more with Castelazzi releasing Maicon instead of attempting long-passes. But Inter became very sloppy in possession and Di Natale and Alexis Sanchez had a number of chances. Leonardo attempted changing the system by withdrawing Motta for Biabiany and attempting a shift to a 4-3-3. Udinese had their three centre-backs track each of these forwards in the three with Asamoah, Inler and the wing-backs covering up empty spaces if necessary. Inter with 3 in the middle were also less effective in their build-up. Udinese continued to have chances on the break but the game was effectively settled.
NOTES
– Inter played poorly as they seemed unable to cope with the movement of the Udinese players and Samuel Eto’o had an excuse – he missed his usual partner Milito as it was their effective combination which led Inter to victory against Bologna. He failed to effectively link up with Pandev all game.
– Leonardo faced a game where he had to make a change. He failed to respond early enough and this will provide more proof for those who consider him as lacking tactically.
– Alexis Sanchez, Di Natale, Kwadwo Asamoah and Inler were the stand-out performers for Udinese and their consistency will be key for Guidolin and the Zebrette this season.
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