Inter Milan U19: Team Analysis – MH
Inter Milan’s U19 team is the only side in this season’s UEFA Youth League to have won all their matches so far, finishing the group stage of the “Youth Champions League” in first place. They also secured victory in the knockout playoff round and will now face Bayern Munich U19 in the Round of 16. This analysis will take a closer look at Inter Milan’s tactical structures and mechanisms under head coach Andrea Zanchetta in the Youth League while also considering possible approaches against them.
Inter Milan generally builds up in a nominal 4-3-3 shape. A key role is played by the midfield trio, consisting of the two number eights, Topalovic and Venturini, alongside the single pivot, Mattia Zanchetta. Zanchetta frequently drops between the center-backs, taking on a key role in deep buildup, while the two eights serve as connectors and overload players in the transition from deeper buildup into more advanced areas. According to the Italian Wikipedia, head coach Andrea Zanchetta is the father of Mattia Zanchetta.
Inter’s defensive structure varies depending on the opponent and pressing height. In mid-block and high-pressing phases, they defend in a narrow 4-3-2-1, a compact 4-3-3, or a 4-4-2, depending on the opposition’s structure. When defending deeper, they shift into a 4-1-4-1, with Zanchetta holding his position as the single pivot shielding the backline.
As the central striker, either Lavelli or Spinaccè leads the line. Since both share a similar physical, robust playing style, this analysis will primarily refer to Spinaccè, who has started in recent matches. On the right wing, Pieri is a fixed starter, known for his strong 1v1 abilities. On the opposite flank, head coach Zanchetta has rotated more frequently, but he has consistently relied on technically strong, dribble-oriented wingers.
Inter’s Buildup against High Pressing
To build up against high pressing, Inter relies on certain patterns that make it more difficult for the opponent to press successfully. A frequent observation is that the center-backs move wide while the full-backs push up along the touchline. At the same time, the single pivot Zanchetta and/or the number eight Topalovic drop deep to lure the opposition’s midfield out of the center. The longer the possession phase lasts near their own penalty area, the more likely it is that both the pivot and the number eight drop into the center-back positions. The now-vacated central space is occupied by the other number eight, Venturini, and the frequently dropping center-forward Spinaccè. When buildup occurs on the right side, Topalovic often stays on the far side to stretch the central area further. The wingers act as additional passing options by tucking into the half-spaces. From this structure, the opponent can be bypassed using vertical-layoff combinations in the half-space.
The primary goal of the buildup is often a pass to the target man Spinaccè, who either uses Venturini as a layoff option or directly switches play to the wing. By pulling apart the central space through the movements of Topalovic and Zanchetta, the goalkeeper typically initiates buildup through the wide center-backs, who frequently play a direct pass to the dropping striker via the now-open diagonal deep passing lane. Particularly noteworthy are the anticipatory movements of the layoff options in these combinations. The attacking number eight, Venturini, excels at positioning himself to receive layoffs from the back-to-goal striker Spinaccè, ensuring continuity in progression.
If only Zanchetta drops between the center-backs to form the resulting back three, the left-sided number eight, Topalovic, and the right-sided number eight, Venturini, move into the half-spaces to receive when the center-backs are in possession. Through a vertical-layoff combination involving one of the eights, the now-advancing pivot Zanchetta, and the dropping center-forward Spinaccè, the midfield can be quickly bypassed, allowing the ball to be switched to the wing in the opponent’s half.
To effectively press Inter’s buildup directly, a hybrid pressing approach combining man- and space-orientation could be a viable strategy. A particularly crucial role could be assigned to the ball-far holding midfielder, who could operate positionally to close passing lanes, preventing deep balls into the target man Spinaccè while also ensuring that the central space cannot be stretched. Additionally, an aggressive step-out from a center-back would be necessary to avoid numerical inferiority in midfield. On the ball-near side, increased pressure could be applied through man-oriented marking to maximize pressing intensity.
Through hybrid pressing, the center can be occupied, and the typical passing lane can be blocked. The downside is the numerical disadvantage on the ball-far side and the man-to-man marking on the last line.
Inter’s Buildup against Mid-Block and Defense Pressing
Even against teams that press deeper, certain patterns can be observed in Inter Milan U19’s buildup. From their usual 4-3-3 structure with a single pivot and two number eights, they transition into a three-man buildup shape against opponents using a two-striker system. To achieve this, Zanchetta drops between the center-backs, who move wider, while the full-backs push higher along the touchline. However, Zanchetta plays a flexible role, shifting between a central center-back position and his original pivot role, making himself available in midfield depending on the situation.
This three-man buildup creates new passing connections designed to pose problems for the opponent. A key role is played by Topalovic and Venturini, who drop closer to the buildup to fill the emerging gap between the midfield and the first buildup line. The buildup is primarily conducted through the half-spaces and the wide areas. The ball-near number eight moves into the half-space to overload it, while Venturini, from the right half-space, moves into an advanced position, and Topalovic, from the left half-space, stays closer to the buildup zone, occasionally even dropping into the first line. The ball-far number eight occupies the center.
Due to this asymmetry between the two eights, the wingers on each side have slightly different roles. On the right side, where Venturini often occupies the advanced half-space, the right winger stays wider, creating double width with the full-back. On the left side, since Topalovic supports deeper in the buildup, the left winger frequently moves into the half-space, opening the lane for the overlapping full-back on the outside.
Additionally, Spinaccè overloads the half-space by shifting ball-near and dropping deeper. Particularly on the left side, a diagonal deep pass from the wide-positioned center-back in the back three can find either the winger or the striker in a diagonal alignment. This escadinha staggering provides multiple layoff options. The ultimate goal after playing through the half-space is to create a 1v1 situation on the wing, allowing the dribbling-strong wingers or advancing full-backs to be isolated and attack down the flank.
Through the typical half-space overload, the wide area can be opened for a 1v1 situation involving the advancing full-back.
The follow-up action is usually a cross into the penalty area. This is typically occupied by the aerially strong striker, the ball-far winger, and Topalovic. In the second line, Zanchetta and Venturini can win second balls.
Inter’s Man-Marking Attacking Press
One of the key aspects of Inter Milan’s game is their man-marking high press. With the exception of the match against Manchester City, coach Zanchetta’s team has consistently relied on man-marking and aggressive pressing in advanced areas. This approach frequently creates dangerous transition moments by forcing early turnovers.
While striker Spinaccè and the right winger are primarily responsible for initiating the press, Topalovic and Zanchetta operate in central areas. Zanchetta, known for his strength in duels, pushes far forward from his usual deeper pivot position to press opposing midfielders and win the ball in central areas. The offensively oriented number eight, Venturini, is deliberately kept out of direct 1v1 defensive duels in the center and instead takes responsibility for a potentially advancing full-back. On the opposite side, the opposing full-back is covered by Inter’s winger.
The pressing is almost always triggered by Spinaccè from a slightly left-sided position. He presses the goalkeeper while blocking the passing lane to the left center-back. This forces the opponent’s buildup toward the wing, where Inter engages in their man-oriented pressing. In particular, the ball-far midfielder, Topalovic, often abandons his direct man-marking after the opponent is forced to play toward the far-side wing. Instead, he drops back toward the defensive line to create numerical superiority and ensure that the center-backs can step out aggressively without leaving gaps in the last line.
A possible solution against this man-marking press could involve putting the opposing center-backs in a dilemma. By having the strikers drop deep, they could force the center-backs to abandon their cover in the last line. Since Inter Milan’s full-backs are less dominant in defensive 1v1 situations, wingers making deep diagonal runs into the vacated spaces could create a favorable scenario. Once the press is triggered, these wingers should be played into 1v1 situations through deep passes. This either forces the physically strong center-backs out of the last line or creates a numerical superiority in midfield that can be exploited.
Another possible approach could involve a high-positioned, inverted left-back. By dropping into the space between the opponent’s forward and midfield lines, he could create a central 1v1 against Venturini, who is not as defensively strong.
Opponent-adaptable Mid-Block Structures
Depending on the opponent, Inter may drop slightly deeper and defend in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 mid-block shape. This adjustment depends on the opposition’s buildup structure. The fundamental goal is to maintain numerical parity against the opponent’s buildup line, allowing Inter to transition into aggressive man-marking and press forward. Against a three-man buildup, they press in a 4-3-3 shape, while against a four-man buildup, they shift into a 4-4-2. A key emphasis is placed on central compactness, making it more difficult for the opponent to progress through the middle.
Once the ball is shifted to one side, Inter looks to apply pressure and enforce man-marking, similar to their approach in the high press. Zanchetta frequently pushes forward aggressively on the ball-near side to put pressure on the opponent’s central midfielders and create ball-winning opportunities.
While the full-backs also push high to apply pressure, the center-backs primarily serve as defensive cover. However, when the opposition’s strikers drop deeper, the center-backs do not follow them to avoid leaving gaps in the defensive line. Instead, Inter presses with one less player in the first line to compensate for the opponent’s numerical superiority in midfield. Even in these situations, the opponent is guided toward one side, where Inter then looks to regain possession. To execute this, the first pressing line must initially cut off the passing lane to one of the defenders, allowing the opponent to maintain more possession and reducing Inter’s ability to transition into their man-marking press.
Inter Milan in the Low Block
Especially in the low block, Inter Milan manages to make the field so compact that progression becomes extremely difficult. From a 4-1-4-1 structure, they compress the space just in front of their own penalty area. Zanchetta operates between the lines as a space-oriented pivot in front of the defense. When the opponent shifts play to one side, Zanchetta also moves laterally and looks to engage an opposing player.
As the central players shift heavily toward the ball side, defensive numerical superiority is often created near the ball, allowing Inter to apply pressure. The ball-far number eight secures the central area, while the ball-far winger stays wide when the opponent maintains width on both flanks to prevent switches of play. This enables the last defensive line to shift further toward the ball side, allowing the ball-near center-back to step out aggressively while still being covered.
Conclusion
Inter Milan’s U19 team manages to challenge opponents through a well-organized and versatile defensive structure. They can adapt to various pressing heights, with their difficult-to-play man-marking high press frequently creating dangerous transition moments close to the opponent’s goal.
In possession, Inter also succeeds in reaching the opponent’s penalty area frequently through a very direct approach aimed at attacking depth. The key to this is a well-coordinated midfield and a striker who can act as a target player, holding up the ball with his back to goal. Most of Inter’s combinations are designed to create a 1v1 situation on the wing, where both the advancing full-backs and the wingers are very difficult to defend.
Author: “MH” is a young analyst who regularly produces content for Spielverlagerung NextGen and TotalFootballAnalysis. On X, he can be found under Mh_sv5.
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