In the past 2 years, when talking about Simone Inzaghi and Inter Milan, fans have compared it to a Rubik's cube. No matter how Inzaghi turns it, it always ends up in two main colors: blue and black. This implies that despite having to constantly change to adapt, Inzaghi always maintains his quality, still helping Inter to be itself in the face of all changes.
Reality has proven that, against Arsenal, Inzaghi made 5 changes compared to last weekend's match in Serie A. Not because doing so would make the team stronger, simply Inzaghi wanted Inter to change to suit the new opponent who is considered very strong from the Premier League.
Inzaghi changed the starting lineup, but those who were not selected did not have to sit on the bench for the entire match. In the match against Young Boys, Inzaghi started Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian striker then missed a penalty and was replaced by Marcus Thuram. The French striker scored the only goal in injury time to help the Nerazzurri win 3 points.
Last season, it was also a story of Arnautovic and Thuram taking turns. Thuram failed to score in a match where Inter had a complete advantage over Atletico in the Champions League round of 16. Then Arnautovic came on and scored the only goal to bring victory to the Serie A representative.
Against Arsenal, Inzaghi mixed up the three-man defence and did the same in midfield. Despite the different approach and personnel, the former Serie A champions still won in the end. Inter didn't have as many smooth and eye-catching combinations as Arsenal, but if they had been luckier, they would have scored more than one goal in the first half.
In addition to the opening penalty shootout, when Denzel Dumfries shook David Raya's goal, Hakan Calhanoglu fired a trademark long-range shot just outside the post, causing the Gunners fans to scream in fright.
"In the end, the result is the most important thing" - Inzaghi shared after the match.
Last year, when Yann Bisseck was first recruited by Inter, he was like an unpolished diamond. This season, Inzaghi has given the Danish star many opportunities but has never been rewarded as expected. Not discouraged and not cutting off his student's future, Inzaghi remained patient and gave him a chance in the match against Arsenal. In the end, it was Bisseck who repeatedly frustrated the away team's explosive Bukayo Saka.
Inter return to the San Siro on Sunday for a big clash with Napoli. The leaders Napoli are not playing in European competition this season and will have a full week off. Inter do not have that luxury, but the excitement of the Champions League will be a huge source of motivation. Inter will enter the match with the mentality of a team that has just won in Europe's most prestigious tournament. They have had this confidence for many seasons now, which has been a huge success under Simone Inzaghi.
After the defeat against Man City in the 2022-2023 Champions League final, although he has not said it, Inzaghi and his students have never hidden their ambition to reach the final stage again. Step by step, in each playground and each squad, they are trying to do it with certainty.
