Inter Milan missed the chance to start the season with a victory

In the first match of the season, Inter Milan unexpectedly stumbled in Genoa's home ground—a result that took many fans by surprise. Although AC Milan also drew their match, giving some solace to Inter supporters, the challenges and importance of defending the title still weigh heavily on their minds. The lackluster performance of several key players was the main reason Inter couldn't secure a winning start. For Simone Inzaghi, it's crucial to motivate the team to quickly find their rhythm, which is even more important than making lineup adjustments. Despite the setback, Inzaghi mentioned in the post-match interview that "a three-forward formation will be a key strategy for Inter moving forward."

The new season has begun, but there seems to be a lack of new spirit.

After Inter Milan lifted the Serie A trophy last season, fans were eagerly anticipating their journey in the new campaign. After all, the two-star jersey looks truly stunning, and with their elevated status, the Nerazzurri have every right to dream of an even brighter future. However, judging by the first match, it appears that things may not be as promising—at least for now.

The new season has begun, but there's no sign of a renewed spirit.

After winning the Serie A title last season, Inter Milan fans were eager to see how their team would fare in the new campaign. The two-star jersey is indeed a sight to behold, and with their elevated status, the Nerazzurri have every reason to dream of an even brighter future. However, based on the first match, things don’t seem as promising—at least for now.

This isn't entirely unexpected. During the pre-season, Inter's performance was average, prompting journalists to ask coach Simone Inzaghi if he was concerned. Inzaghi responded that pre-season matches are often lackluster and there's no need to worry. However, looking at the first match, it’s clear that he may have underestimated the situation.

The defensive lapses by Sommer and Acerbi were surprising to many. These two players are key figures in Inter's defense, and their experience is supposed to be one of the team's strongest assets. Yet, in the match against Genoa, their age seemed more of a hindrance than a help. Their sluggishness made it seem as though they were playing the last match of the season, not the first.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan in midfield also struggled. He managed just one shot the entire game and contributed little else. With an 80% pass success rate and only 32 passes completed, with zero key passes, crosses, or long balls, he was substituted by Frattesi in the 66th minute. He couldn’t gel with Barella and Calhanoglu to form Inter's typically solid midfield.

Calhanoglu, too, had an off day. Losing possession nine times is unacceptable for a holding midfielder. Genoa capitalized on his mistakes, launching several counterattacks aimed at exploiting his errors.

Then there's captain Lautaro Martinez. As some fans noted after the match, if it weren’t for the starting lineup graphic showing his name, they would have assumed he was resting on the bench. With only one shot all game, he hardly resembled a top striker.

Of course, it’s not as if these players were deliberately underperforming. They had their moments: Sommer made five saves despite his earlier mistake; Mkhitaryan won three ground duels; Calhanoglu completed 87 passes with a 94% success rate; and Lautaro made four fouls and interceptions, showing some of his tenacity. However, these moments were far too fleeting to offset the overall problems, leaving Inter unable to assert control in the match.

Is 3-4-3 the Right Move?

Judging by the players' positions and Inzaghi’s decisions, it appears Inter is seriously considering a formation shift. Moving away from the traditional 3-5-2 to a 3-4-3 could be part of Inzaghi's broader strategy for the season, but it might also explain why the team looked disjointed.

For instance, increasing the number of midfielders might be a key reason for the change. With the arrival of Zelinski, a proven midfielder in his prime, Inzaghi may be looking to secure him a starting spot. Frattesi also deserves consideration for a starting role, and how these players are integrated is crucial.

There’s also the issue of wing-back depth, especially with Denzel Dumfries potentially leaving. Shifting to a formation that reduces reliance on wing-backs might compensate for a lack of options if they can’t secure new signings.

Additionally, with Lautaro Martinez's aggressive style, relying solely on Marcus Thuram to lead the attack may not be enough. Bringing in another forward like Taremi or pushing Mkhitaryan further up the pitch, even if it means DiMarco has to push forward more frequently, could enhance their attacking options.

Faced with these considerations, Inzaghi has indeed started experimenting. In this match, DiMarco was positioned very high up the pitch, signaling a bold new approach to wing play. Bringing on Frattesi and Taremi later in the game showed Inzaghi’s willingness to take risks. However, the strategy became increasingly top-heavy, as he substituted Asllani to shore up the midfield, while neglecting the defense. This was a deliberate choice by Inzaghi, reflecting his evolving tactical mindset.

After the match, Inzaghi confidently told reporters, "Going forward, Inter’s three-forward setup will be a regular feature; it’s what we’re aiming for."

It’s difficult to judge whether this is the right or wrong approach. Experimentation takes time, but Inter must balance this with maintaining results. A 2-2 draw with Genoa might be chalked up to a tough start, especially considering Inter’s mixed record in recent away games against Genoa. But moving forward, this excuse will wear thin.

New Signings?

Aside from performance issues, the aging of key defenders is another pressing concern. Players like Acerbi and Darmian are nearing the end of their careers, and Sommer, Mkhitaryan, and even the 31-year-old Calhanoglu are also on the decline. With the defensive and midfield core aging, Inter must consider refreshing the squad.

Inzaghi has repeatedly expressed his desire to sign new defenders, which aligns with this thinking. However, the new owners seem more inclined to make big promises than to follow through. Marotta’s limited transfer budget of just €5 million makes signing a reliable center-back nearly impossible. How they plan to address these issues and plug the gaps Inzaghi has identified remains to be seen.

The new season is already underway, and Inter faces the continued pressure of competing on multiple fronts. With only half a month left in the transfer window, time is running out.