Bari’s Ventura kept his 4-3-1-2 formation similar in shape to that used by Inter in recent week. Leonardo opted for a 4-3-3 system to accommodate his top 3 strikers, Milito, Eto’o and Pazzini.
Masiello and Parisi kept good watch on Eto’o and Milito/Pazzini (as Milito and Pazzini frequently interchanged position) while defending then moved to join the attack when Bari had possession of the ball. Almiron played in front of the defence and since he had no marker, he usually had the time and space which he exploited by making a number of impressive runs through the Inter midfield.
Bari had four in midfield so were able to maintain in general, 4v3 in the middle and this helped them retain possession and boss the game in the first half. Inter usually react to such situations by having their attacking midfielder drop deep but Milito and Pazzini were clearly not intrested in marking Almiron.
Kharja played as the most forward thinking of the Inter midfield trio drifting to the left (Ramires does the same for Chelsea on the right). He gained possession a good number of times but lost it as Bari easily crowded out Inter in this zone. Inter’s major problem was retaining possession for long enough to dominate.
As Eto’o dropped deeper and into midfield to help out, Inter usually built up play from the left (but had no luck down this flank. Rudolf, Donati and Masiello did a good job defensively) with Maicon usually advancing down the right to set up a 1v1 against Parisi and the Maicon option was exploited a number of times.
This duel was very interesting and though both players could claim victory, Maicon happened to be Inter’s most exciting/promising player in the first period.
Generally, the first half was bad for Inter as Bari got their full-backs forward, dominated possession but lacked that extra quality to change the scoreline.
A RETURN TO THE NORM
The second half began in similar fashion to the first with Inter pressing more, getting little end product though. Leonardo decided to make the necessary switch. He took-off Milito for Sneijder. This change was a fairly simple one. It returned Inter to a 4-3-1-2 shape (their regular formation under Leonardo) and Inter took advantage of this. Inter retained possession better and continued to utilize Eto’o’s tactical nous down the left flank.
Sneijder also played close to this position and after some neat build-up play involving Eto’o, Sneijder and Kharja, Eto’o released Kharja in the Bari box who had no trouble finishing from a tight angle.
After this goal, Bari became more attacking. Donati moved into a wide right role (Masiello usually was back with Eto’o), Gazzi made more forward runs into the box, while Parisi charged forward as he had no direct marker and Bari did have some chances though that extra quality was once again lacking.
Ventura had got his tactics right and the extra attacking intent was justified by the created chances but he just lacked the necessary players to kill the game.
The game continued in this fashion with Bari attempting to score. Eto’o got subbed off for Cambiasso and Inter adopted a 4-2-2-1-1 with Zanetti and Motta behind Cambiasso and Kharja as Sneijder and Pazzini forming the pair up front. This move freed the Bari full-backs who got forward but Bari now had four combative Inter midfielders to go through in midfield.
And it was in the midfield region Kharja won the ball off Almiron in midfield and Motta slipped the ball to Pazzini who alongside Sneijder formed a 2v2 against Rossi and Rivas and he had no problem slotting the ball in from the edge of the area.
The third goal just went on to show what difference quality decision making can make in a side and Zanetti held off a number of Bari defenders in the area to cross the ball to Kharja on the far post who nodded it down for Sneijder to make it 3-0 with the last 2 goals coming at the 94th and 96 minute.
SUMMARY
– After a 1st half where he failed to hold onto the ball because he was easily crowded out and sloppy with his passing, Sneijder’s introduction reduced the number of opposition midfielders on Kharja and he contributed to the result by scoring and assisting in the 1st and 3rd goals.
– While Milito didn’t play well, he still managed to combine effectively with Eto’o on two occasions (reminiscent of Inter’s 3rd goal against Bologna in January) where in the 1st situation, Eto’o’s shot was deflected and in the 2nd, Almiron brought him down. The partnership is still strong though Pazzini’s emergence poses a threat to it.
– Leonardo managed to save face after the poor 1st half performance Inter put-in by changing the system. He made two changes, bringing on Sneijder for Milito and bringing on Cambiasso for Eto’o (both changes responsible for the 1st 2 goals). While he may not be a superb tactician, he can still notice the obvious and change it necessary though a side better than Bari would have killed the game off in the 1st half.
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