Inter boss Simone Inzaghi seems to have found a way to deal with Marcelo Brozovic’s absence this season after failing to win any Serie A game without the Croatia international last term.
The Croatia international is currently dealing with a flexor injury suffered last month on International duty. Inter were quite worried by the news, knowing that Brozo’s absence affected their season in 2021-22 and, to some extent, even prevented them from retaining the title.
Inter collected just two points in three Serie A games without Brozovic last term and needed extra time to beat strugglers Empoli in Coppa Italia.
To help Inzaghi replace Brozovic, Inter loaned Kristjan Asllani from Empoli in the summer, but the Albania international hasn’t been the only answer to Inter’s problems.
Inzaghi has often used Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu in the middle of the park, along with Nicolò Barella. The ex-Milan midfielder plays deeper when Brozovic is not there but is still effective in the final third.
‘Calha’ scored the winner against Barcelona at San Siro and delivered an assist for Lautaro Martinez at Camp Nou.
While Inter lacked quality without Brozovic last season, this term the Croatian midfielder is better replaced by new signings – Asllani and Mkhitaryan – and different tactical choices from the Nerazzurri boss.
The Serie A giants have collected three wins, one draw and just one defeat across all competitions without Brozovic in 2022-23.