High-flying Inter continue to send shock-waves across Europe as they attained a convincing 4-0 victory over Udinese during the week-end and have secured their spot in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, despite their scoreless draw to Spanish outfits Real Sociedad.
As it stands, the Nerazzurri sit at the top of the 2023/24 Serie A standings with a total of 38 points, two points ahead of coach Max Allegri’s Juventus. Coach Simone Inzaghi’s squad has portrayed an impeccable run of form, as they have only lost a single match across all competitions thus far, strengthening their claim that last year’s appearance in the Champions League finals was far from a fluke.
La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights three key features of what makes Inzaghi’s squad major competitors across Europe in comparison to their underwhelming 2022/23 domestic term.
Keeping it vacuumed-sealed tight in the back
One of the Beneamata’s vital aspects which permits Inzaghi’s men to remain competitive across all competitions is their compactness defensively.
In the Champions League, the Nerazzurri managed to guarantee their spot in the knock-out phase of the tournament without undergoing a single defeat.
In addition, Inter have only conceded seven goals in 15 games-played in the 2023/24 Serie A season so far, accumulating a total of ten clean sheets, the most clean sheets in such a short amount of fixtures within the three-point era since the 1994/95 campaign.
Ruthless and clinical in the final third
There is no doubt that Inzaghi’s Inter this season have been goal-scoring machines, as they have amassed a total of 37 goals-scored in 15 appearances in this year’s current term in the Serie A, making them the most efficient team offensively in Italy thus far.
Since arriving on a free transfer from Bundesliga side Borussia Monhengladbach in the summer window, Frenchman Marcus Thuram has set the league alight alongside Nerazzurri skipper Lautaro Martinez in the front-line. The striking duo have accumulated a total of 20 goals combined in the Serie A
The Argentine is on track to be named this season’s capocannoniere as he attained 14 goals in 15 games-played. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old French International is currently the top assist-man, seizing a total of six goal contributions for his new club.
The hunger steady continues to grow
Following the Nerazzurri’s disappointing third-place finish in the Serie A last season, as well as their heartfelt 1-0 defeat to Premier League outfits Manchester City in the Champions League final, Inter seem to enter this year’s capaign with the desire to seize vengeance.
The players have displayed a great deal of confidence on the pitch, as they firmly believe in coach Simone Inzaghi’s tactics and preparation, striving with strength and unity towards the objective of sealing their 20th scudetto.
