The thirteen-date of Serie A had a very interesting duel for tactical analysis. Torino and Inter met in a match that left very attractive elements from the tactics and strategy of both coaches. Torino came from an important win against Brescia. Inter came from a win against Hellas Verona and continues to show interesting elements under Antonio Conte. That means it was important to know how they were going to face this match. The match offered several important points not to overlook in the tactical analysis.
This is why the following tactical analysis will show us how and why Inter was able to beat Torino in a very comfortable way. Inter showed a lot of superiority in the match and so their tactics prevailed over Torino’s tactics. The analysis left interesting things to delve into in the match between Torino and Inter. In addition, the tactical analysis will be based on the tactics of both teams and what the coaches’ proposals were. For now, Inter will continue chasing Juventus to lead Serie A. While Torino will try to get out of the mid-table positions.
Lineups
Torino’s coach Walter Mazzarri made two changes compared to the last match against Brescia. It has to be said that Torino is one of the teams with a very clear and defined idea. Mazzarri has insisted on strengthening the 3-5-2 system in Torino since last season. Torino’s ideas and tactics haven’t changed depending on the opponent. This match against Inter was no exception either.
In fact, the two changes made by Mazzarri were of players playing in the same position. Lorenzo De Silvestri took Ola Aina’s place to occupy the position of exterior midfielder on the right. In addition, Daniele Baselli took the place of Tomás Rincón as a defensive midfielder. These changes did not affect Torino’s base system.
For their part, Inter made also two changes with respect to the last match of Serie A against Hellas Verona. Conte has been characterized by rotating players in various positions, but especially in midfield. This is because that area is the most populated in the team and where Conte has focused more tactically. That’s why it’s usual to see some changes, plus Inter this week will have a Champions League match. What does not change is the system, as Conte uses a 3-5-2 as his preferred tactics.
Diego Godín took Alessandro Bastoni’s place in Conte’s usual three-player back-line. The other change Conte made was in midfield. Danilo D’Ambrosio returned to the starting line-up after several absent matches. D’Ambrosio came in for Valentino Lazaro, who started against Hellas Verona. In addition, Cristiano Biraghi continues to occupy the position of a midfielder on the left. Something to emphasize, as Biraghi did not start the season as a starter in that position.
Torino’s tactical system
In today’s football, it is common to have a modern midfielder. That is to say, a midfielder with a good vision of the game, good technique to pass the ball and a good sense of location. Today’s coaches are looking for such a midfielder in their teams. Daniele Baselli was that midfielder for Torino in this match.
That’s why it was usual to see Baselli play very close to the back-line, instead of being close to the other midfielders. Mazzarri’s idea with Baselli was to connect the team and try to be an axis between the back-line and the midfielders. At times he did it, at other times he didn’t.
Unfortunately for Mazzarri his team was heavily pressured and suffocated by Inter. The coach’s initial idea didn’t work out as expected. This is why Torino could not play with a line of three centre-backs and two midfielders with the freedom to attack and defend down the lanes. Instead, the tactical analysis showed that Torino played almost the entire match with a five-player back-line.
Although Torino based his idea of playing in a formation 3-5-2 what was most seen in the match was a 5-1-3-1 system. That is to say: the line of three centre-backs with the external midfielders playing as full-backs. A defensive midfielder between the back-line and the line of three interior midfielders. In addition, a single striker very far from the rest of the team.
One of Torino’s main mistakes was to fall into Inter’s pressure trap. At times, Inter exerted only pressure on space. In other words, Romelo Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez stood between the back-line and the midfielders to cover the possible passing lines. This made Torino not find fluidity in the game and look very disconnected between the lines.
Finally, another aspect that the tactical analysis showed was the unbalanced pressure from Torino. Only one player was in charge of trying to put pressure on the centre-backs of Inter, which also always generated numerical superiority in that area of the pitch. This made it very easy for Inter to move forward on the pitch and that’s why Torino looked so backward on the pitch.
Inter tactical system
As is characteristic of Antonio Conte’s teams and style of play, one of the main characteristics is intensity. Intensity is needed to recover the ball quickly, and to recover the ball quickly you need to press. This did Inter during most of the match, drowning Torino and making the back-line uncomfortable to generate some error or a bad pass.
As we said earlier in the tactical analysis, modern midfielders are as essential as they are necessary for any team today. In the case of Inter, Conte has given that responsibility to Marcelo Brozović and he has responded very well. This match was no exception and Brozović was in charge of being Inter’s hub for connecting lines and generating pass options.
At times and while Inter did not have possession of the ball the idea was clear: 5-3-2 system. This team has been characterized by having very fast external midfielders. When Inter has possession of the ball the deployment must be done very quickly to form numerical superiority in the attack. Similarly, when Inter loses the ball the midfielders’ regression is done efficiently to form a five-player back-line.
Inter’s good pressure meant Torino had to throw long balls. This made Torino uncomfortable because they are not used to it and Inter won the individual duels there. Torino was not effective in winning long aerial balls, while Inter won most of the duels generating numerical superiority. The team looked very grouped and generated a lot of space for Inter, who took good advantage of it.
Finally, Inter generated numerical superiority in all sectors of the pitch, including the attack. This obviously meant that Torino had to defend with more men and therefore almost always wore a back-line of five players. Inter is a team that feels good to play ahead to attack with several players. The external midfielders advance several meters quickly and one of the internal midfielders joins the attack. This causes up to five players to form a line to take advantage of the spaces left by the opponent.
Conclusion
Inter continues to fight for Serie A and their win over Torino away is very important to the team. Inter continues to show very interesting tactical aspects as the games go on. The team looks solid and entrenched with Conte’s idea and all the players are interwoven into the system. Inter will play away against SPAL on the next Serie A date, in what should be a pretty straightforward game for Conte’s team.
On the other hand, Torino has not yet shown the solidity of last season under the command of Mazzarri. This season has been difficult for Torino, with many ups and downs between matches. Torino is not yet the reliable team Mazzarri expects under their tactics. This is why the team is in the middle of the table, where it should not be neglected not to suffer at the end. Torino will face Genoa on the next date of Serie A, a team with many problems and a new coach. The team directed by Mazzari will have to win this match to recover what was lost against Inter.
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