After the bizarre 4-3-2-1 system played in midweek due to Giampaolo Pazzini being cup-tied in the Champions League, Leonardo switched back to his favoured 4-3-1-2. Yuto Nagatomo came in for the suspended Maicon at right-back. Coach Domenico Di Carlo continued with his newly found 3-5-1-1 with Andrea Poli replacing Vladimir Koman.
Tactically, this was a replay of Udinese vs. Inter which Udinese won 3-1. It was a 3-5-1-1 vs. a 4-3-1-2.
As expected when a 3 man defense faces a 2 man attack, Sampdoria utilized the presence of their spare player, Gastaldello, to maximum effect. Volta man-marked Eto’o for most of the game. Sampdoria were able to nullify the Inter attack by defending deep and utilizing the presence of an extra man in defense to crowd the Inter attack out and win the ball back.
Inter’s best attacking outlet early on in the game was Nagatomo. He was able to find the space to put in decent crosses as Kharja drifted into his flank a number of times and the two combined to allow Nagatomo the time to cross. Inter tried to get bodies forward from midfield to make these crosses count but were generally unsuccessful as these chances were cleared by the extra bodies in the Sampdoria back-line.
Sampdoria’s best chances also came through some decent wing-play. Guberti took well to his role behind Maccarone well. He drifted into either flank frequently combining with Mannini and Dessena on the right flank to create decent crosses into the box. He also combined with Zeigler on the left to create chances for midfield runners, the best being one for Poli whose resulting shot was just wide of the post.
Sampdoria frequently attempted exploiting Nagatomo’s flank with long balls into this side of the field given Nagatomo’s attacking instincts. Guberti did his best Alexis Sanchez impressions but given the lesser level of quality he possesses, he was not so successful as the Inter midfield offered a helping hand to Nagatomo. Sampdoria were generally less attacking than Udinese are and their willingness to win the ball was questionable preferring quick direct counter attacks involving decent wing-play. Sampdoria generally did little pressing preferring to keep their shape.
2ND HALF
The second half began in similar fashion to the first as Sampdoria attacked less and Guberti looked a bit tired. Sampdoria let themselves down technically at times and the will to defend more than attack increased. Kharja moved into a wide left role and pinned Mannini back. Nagatomo also seemed to be gaining the upper hand over Reto Ziegler on the right for Inter. Inter retained the upper hand but were not threatening. Even still, Maccarone had a good chance to score with a direct ball to put him 1-on-1 with Cesar but Ranocchia and Lucio responded quickly enough to this threat.
3 v 3 or 5 v 3
Around the hour mark, Leonardo took off Kharja for Pandev and reverted to a 4-3-3. Sampdoria retained their formation but now faced a 3v3/5v3 at the back. The Palermo wing-backs completed their retreat to form a back-five. Inter took advantage of this situation by applying more pressure, increasing the tempo and putting in more dangerous crosses into the box. Sampdoria held on but seemed more vulnerable. Inter broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute when Sneijder scored from a free-kick after a foul around the box.
Di Carlo makes his changes
Sampdoria responded to this goal by pushing their wing-backs forward once more in attempt to attack. DI Carlo then made the necessary changes. He took Dessena off for Biabiany. Volta moved to right back, Ziegler played left-back and Sampdoria were now playing with a back-four in a 4-4-1-1. Guberti occupied wide left and Biabiany played behind Maccarone. The switch to a 4-4-1-1 meant Sampdoria could attack utilizing wide players without necessarily harming themselves on the break as a 4v3 was maintained at the back.
Biabiany’s pace and skill was on display in the final few minutes as the game became an open contest. Vladimir Koman replaced Guberti and Sampdoria attacked Inter more by upping the tempo, pressing more (a higher defensive line) and playing with more width. This situation also favoured Inter on the break as Volta wasn’t always goal-side of Eto’o. Di Carlo switched into a supper attack mode bringing on Macheda for Poli. As the Blucerchiati put their best efforts into attack, Eto’o got on the end of a long-ball over the defense which he finished to kill off Sampdoria’s chances of an equalizer.
OVERVIEW
– This game showed the advantages a 3-5-2 has over the 4-3-1-2 system if the personnel employed are well-drilled and technically and tactically capable of their duties. Inter had little chance of winning this game had Leonardo not made the necessary change to a 4-3-3.
– Di Carlo seems to have the required personnel to implement a more reserved version of Udinese’s 3-5-1-1 as Palombo and Poli are capable of both timed forward runs and accurate passing while Dessena plays in a role not too dissimilar from Pinzi. Either Guberti or Biabiany is adequate to play in-behind the lone forward. Here’s a breakdown of how Udinese play
– Given the weaknesses of a 3-5-1-1 against a 4-3-3, will more sides employ three forwards against Udinese in an attempt to disrupt their game-play? Given Udinese’s brilliant form, changing a system to defeat such a talented side shouldn’t be out of the question even for big sides.
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