The temptation to claim that if Juventus head coach Luigi Delneri had played a 9-0-1, he would have won this game is there but this review will leave that to Juventus Tifosi all over the world.
JUVENTUS – INTERNAZIONALE: TACTICAL REVIEW
Delneri lined up his favoured 4-4-2 with a back-line of centre-backs in Sorensen, Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini. In attack, Alessandro Matri partnered Luca Toni upfront with Matri providing mobility as well as serving as a target man and Luca Toni playing as a pure target man.
Leonardo’s Inter continued in his also favoured 4-3-1-2 as pictured.
Sampdoria Tactics
From early on, it was obvious Juventus were going to hand the initiative to Inter. Inter passed the ball around in midfield with Sneijder dropping deep to receive the ball and dictate play. Juventus appeared quite comfortable with this. Sorensen kept Eto’o in his pocket and Juventus defended with two deep banks of four keeping it tight between both lines. Both Matri and Toni defended inside the Juventus half.
Early on, Marchisio got involved high up the pitch leaving Chiellini, who also advanced high up, exposed and Maicon took full advantage of this by attempting a cross towards the far post which failed to result in any end-product. The whole Juventus defence was tilted towards this flank and it seemed Juventus might be set for some trouble. But after this incident, Marchisio kept his position with both Marchisio and Chiellini watching Maicon and Kharja very intelligently, intercepting passes and launching counter-attacks.
As expected, with Chiellini also having no direct marker, he got forward to good effect and put in a number of crosses. Long punts up the field by the Juventus defence also showed the faith in the ability of Toni and Matri to win the aerial challenges (Faith not misplaced). Sneijder kept coming deeper to become involved in build-up but the 2 Juventus lines kept their shape and Inter struggled to create anything of note.
As Sorensen was handed the responsibility of shadowing Eto’o, he rarely got forward, but at about half an hour into the game, he got down the flank and put in a good cross which Matri nodded home. Matri was unpicked and had a free header. Though the Inter defence allowed Matri a free header, Matri should be given some credit as he has shown in his 3 games for Juventus that he can always get into very good positions.
After this goal, the Inter engine-room went into full steam with both Cambiasso and Kharja attempting runs into the box. Inter were able to create few heading chances from crosses from Maicon but all were either saved or defended against. Eto’o also ventured from his position on the left to free himself of Sorensen but still the 2 deep banks of four were unmoved and unshaken. Both lines were so deep and narrow, Sneijder usually found himself in space just outside the box, but the few times he got this advantage, he was quickly closed down by the Juventus defenders (defenders being 8 players in this scenario).
2ND HALF
The second half began in similar fashion. Juventus trying to construct some moves on the break, hitting long balls for both Matri and Luca Toni who both did a good job at hold-up play. Juventus were still able to construct dangerous attacks and Matri missed two chances to increase the lead for Juventus. The first chance was very similar to the first. This time, he nodded wide a cross from Krasic.
Leonardo attempted a system reshuffle. He took off Kharja for Pandev in an attempt to pin Chiellini down, provide more movement and more options for Sneijder. Inter changed from a 4-3-1-2 to a 4-2-1-3. Cambiasso and Motta played behind Sneijder in midfield. This also failed. Juventus responded in the same way with Chiellini attacking less but still being a threat. Pandev failed to make any difference as Juventus still appeared perfectly placed to deal with Inter.
Luca Toni then came off for Vincenzo Iaquinta, Sisokko came on for Melo and Pepe on for Marchisio. There was no change to the system with each player continuing the job of the man he was replacing. Leonardo also brought Nagatomo, for Cambiasso with Zanetti replacing Cambiasso in midfield, to offer more threat down the Inter left flank.
By this point, Matri had picked up a rib injury but stayed on. Juventus came under more pressure. This can be attributed to the fact that Juventus were trying to attack less, the new signings had a few problems with continuity and with Matri injured, Juventus were playing with 10 men as Matri was less effective with his hold-up play though he still remained impressive.
Towards the final minutes, Inter looked like they could score but these chances were due to mistakes. In one situation, Krasic played Eto’o onside (showing how deep the Juventus lines were) but Buffon saved the day and in the other Simone Pepe maid a mistake and Eto’o failed to make Juventus pay for it as he had the goal at his mercy but struck the crossbar. After this, Juventus regained their concentration and played the game out till the end.
SUMMARY POINTS.
– Delneri has to be commended for his tactics and the ability to make his players understand and perform fully well with these tactics. It also goes to show that with playes he can work with, this Juventus side is a good one under him.
– MATRI: Matri by the end of this season should be a miracle for Juventus. He moves into the right spaces thereby creating chances for himself. The added bonus is the fact that he can partner any striker in the Juventus squad as his moblity allows him to effectively play as a second/deeper striker and his physique allows him to lead the line.
– The Juventus display in one word – GRINTA. The defensive partnership of Bonucci and Barzagli was comfortable, Chiellini did the job of 2 men showing spirit, quality and cleverness. Marchisio ran and ran but he was no headless chicken as thought was applied in all his efforts. Melo did his job of winning the ball and keeping things simple perfectly well, escaping the cards and contributing to forward play also.
– With Delneri having an almost full squad, Loenardo can console himself with the fact that he had some key players out. Lucio (a defensive animal) and Milito whose connection with Eto’o could have turned things around alongside some other key players were unavailable. The defence was a mess and with better personnel, Matri might not have been building territories inside the Inter penalty area.
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