With a string of delicate games awaiting Inter in the coming weeks, Simone Inzaghi is urged to address his side’s defensive issues soon if he doesn’t want to jeopardise their chances of winning silverware again this season.
The Nerazzurri picked up a single defeat this season, in the Derby della Madonnina against Milan, and have since bounced back by winning three games across Serie A and the Champions League.
However, such a positive streak wasn’t enough to erase concerns about the lack of solidity shown by their defence, which arguably highlights a shift in their focus compared to last season. But with fixtures against Roma, Juventus and Napoli looming over them after the international break, Inter need to fix such vulnerabilities not to lose ground from the Serie A summit.
Why are Inter conceding so many goals?
Despite recording two clean sheets in as many Champions League games, including the one at Manchester City, Inter have conceded in five of the seven Serie A games played so far. The Nerazzurri have leaked nine goals in total so far and allowed their opponents to score twice on four occasions already, as many as in the entire 2023/2024 season.
Against Udinese and Torino, Inter’s shaky defence was the only factor that kept the scoreline in balance until the end of games that Simone Inzaghi’s side would’ve deserved to win with a wider gap, given the number of chances created.
However, the way the Biscione are conceding is arguably the aspect that should worry his coach the most. They already gave a penalty twice and three goals came from a set piece, which also happens to be one of the main strengths of Arsenal, one of the Nerazzurri’s upcoming opponents in the Champions League.
Individual mistakes are also often involved, suggesting a lack of focus and attention to detail compared to last season – during the Milan derby, Christian Pulisic was allowed to run his way past four Inter players before scoring after just 10 minutes.
There’s a widespread feeling that similar scenes wouldn’t have happened last season and the club’s decision not to strengthen the defence over the summer, keeping 36-year-old Francesco Acerbi and 32-year-old Stefan De Vrij as the only options at Inzaghi’s disposal for the centre-back position, probably underestimated how their positive displays primarily depended on the contribution of the whole team.
This is why a change of attitude from all players is needed if Inter want to retrieve their past defensive solidity – fixtures against Juventus, Arsenal and Napoli, all scheduled between late October and early November, will represent stern tests in this regard, telling more about the Nerazzurri’s real chances to make a credible title challenge.