Inter 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Inter outwit Atletico’s press in clash of 3-5-2 systems

The Conventional Playmaker previously covered Inter’s transfer activity and tactics

It was a highly anticipated contest of 3-5-2 systems, fought between Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid. Ironically, the match remaining goalless until the 79th minute did not deflate the spectacle, though Mario Arnautovic’s deflected winner ultimately gave Inter a deserved advantage going into the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg, and prolongs the discussion of Inter as the most functional side in Europe.

Inter Milan are the masters of recruiting replacements, and free transfers

Inter Milan are one of, if not the most functional club in European football, both on and off the pitch. Since Simone Inzaghi took over from Antonio Conte as Inter’s head coach in 2021, Inter continue to be a well-drilled side, maximising the qualities of players in their designated roles, whilst also having completed a number of astute signings for little to no money, highlighting their competence in the transfer market.

Player roles and tactics affect where and how crosses occur

Crossing has a simple definition. Opta define a cross as a ‘‘ball from a wide position intending to reach a team mate in a specific area in front of the goal.’’ But it can be broken down whereby there are actually different ways to send the ball into the penalty-area, and thus different reasons as to where and why players do so.

Making notes on matches throughout the 2023/24 Premier league season so far, it reaffirmed the idea for me that player roles, and profile, as well as team tactics, can determine where players cross from, the sort of crosses they play, and how often they cross.

Weekly Tactical: Could Wolves play Matheus Cunha in midfield?

Matheus Cunha provided the assist for Hwang Hee-Chan’s eighth goal of the season, and the only goal in a 1-0 win for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Burnley, which saw the home side move to 12th in the table, 11 points ahead of Burnley.

Although Burnley tried imposing themselves at the other end of the pitch in the first-half, trying to play out from the back drew Wolves’ press closer. Dara O’Shea’s pass to Sander Berge triggered the press. Midfielder Mario Lemina pushed up to close down Berge, who took a heavy touch. Pablo Sarabia recovered possession and in doing so, cut the ball back to Cunha who had been occupying space on the edge of the penalty-area. Cunha quickly fed the ball to Hwang, who took a touch, and feinted before shooting.

Hwang has been enjoying a good run of goal scoring form, but in the latest Weekly Tactical, we are here to talk about Cunha.

Weekly Tactical: Don’t write off Luton Town just yet

Everton’s controversial, and damning 10 points deduction following a breach of profitability and sustainability rules, saw them drop from 14th to 19th in the Premier League table. In turn, Luton Town moved out of the relegation zone. Alongside this set of circumstances, Luton earned their second win of the season by defeating Crystal Palace 2-1, with the winning goal constructed by three summer signings, who are a part of a clear trend in Luton’s strategy to life in the top flight.

Antoine Griezmann is in the best form of his career

Antoine Griezmann has slalomed into the 2023-24 season in great form, picking up where he left off last season. You could even say for the past year or so, he has been in the best form of his career. Since returning to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona, Griezmann has shown goal scoring prowess, versatility, and tactical intelligence, all of which were on show in the recent 6-0 thrashing of Celtic in the Champions League group stage.

United’s shaky start, injury pandemic, and lack of wingers. But there’s still hope.

Manchester United have started the second season under the Eric Ten Hag project imperfectly – in the opening rounds of the Premier League, the club forced two victories over mid-table sides, and lost to direct competitors in the fight for Champions League places. Fans were waiting for the situation to improve after the September national break, but the team continued to show not the most convincing performance, both in the Premier League and in the Champions League.

Spurs’ new system is fun and refreshing, but a work in progress

The end of the Harry Kane era at Tottenham Hotspur, and the start of Ange Postecoglu’s reign as the sides manager, began with an entertaining draw, scoring and conceding twice away to Brentford, whilst displaying many fun tactical contrasts to last season.

Signing Anthony Elanga for £15m is good business. Selling Anthony Elanga for £15m is not.

Signing Anthony Elanga for £15m is a good piece of business from Nottingham Forest. Selling Elanga for £15m is a piece of business from Manchester United that should be questioned.

What Mason Mount brings to Manchester United

Once again, Manchester United are fishing in the transfer market, and its peculiar waters have this time seen United come out with Mason Mount, whom has been signed from Chelsea for £55m.