Tactical Analysis Round 5, Bologna vs. Inter

I am going to have separate Tactical discussion of the more important Serie A games instead of collapsing them all into one thread.

Here is the Inter vs Bologna game:

First game firs win for Ranieri, Bologna gave the Milan outfit a run for their money but they could not use their possession well. however, Inter myst feel this victory deserved with two posts and a Muntari (of all people) run on goal.

Bisoli used his typical 4-4-1-1 formation with Di Vaio as the fulcrum, and Diaminti and Konte on the wings. On using this formation, Bisoli expected his outfit to be able to counter attack swiftly, all the while absorbing pressure from Inter.

The Tinkerman threw Gasp’s 3-4-3 formation out the window and deployed a typical 4-4-2. Strangely, Raniari did not use Snijder in this match, and he put Zanetti in a CM position. What Ranieri allowed his side to do is for Coutinho to join the offense with Zanetti then covering his space, which will give Inter a numerical advantage in offense.

Due to Inter’s superior Full backs, Bologna were forced to centralize their offense. Although they used the wings, more often than note did Chivu or Nagatomo simply negate the attack. Diaminti was a constant menace for the Inter defense, but a hapless Ramires could not keep the possession hard earned by his teammates. Bologna’s lack of a central play maker was evident throughout the period of dominance. But a good performance from Perez and Mudangayi made sure Bologna controlled most of the possession they lost.

Inter in the other hand did not use the wings because their full backs were busy dealing with Bologna’s width based game plan. Hence, most of the play went through the center, with Cambiasso functioning as a semi-playmaker and Forla dropping deep to collect possession. This worked well for the first half, but Inter’s failure to keep possession in the second half, and Cambaisso being bossed by Perez and his mate meant a change was necessary.

On the subs of Borini, Gillet and Ramirez are routine subs. The first because of inury and the second is subbing a tired player. However, Borini really messed up by introducing Aquafresca over Di Vaio. Since Di Vaio is miles the player Aquafresca is, you would expect the drop in quality to affect Bologna and it did. Aquafresca failed to register one shot on target and was virtually anonymous. Nothing in him explains the hype he got a few years back.

Tinkebell in the other hand got his subs right, both Milito and Muntari did some damage coming in, especially Milito who just added much urgency and potency to an otherwise impotent Inter offense. There were suggestions that putting in two target men would be fatal, but Millito drew and scored a penalty. In fact, before Millito came in Inter looked like they were going to either draw or lose the game.

That is it for the tactical analysis of the game, your input is appreciated.