2015 Claudio Villa - Inter
Tactics Board: Why Pioli may drop Banega, start Brozovic in Milan Derby
Who will Stefano Pioli opt for in his first Serie A game in charge of Inter... which, rather unfortunately, is the Milanese derby?
Though we’ve already analyzed the situation in a more general way, does the former Lazio gaffer have specific plans for the Derby?
They will, of course, be affected by the international break, by players returning home after double-digit-hour journeys or, worse, injured.
Thirteen players are set to leave to play for their countries, and five will only return on Wednesday evening/ Thursday morning, leaving them only 2-3 training sessions to prepare for Sunday’s big game.
This explains why the likes of Gary Medel and Ever Banega could be in doubt, only one of them likely playing because of the long journeys they have to face.
Jeison Murillo and Joao Miranda will, on the flipside, likely play because of the lack of options, while Yuto Nagatomo’s absence leaves the coast clear for staycationers like Danilo D’Ambrosio and Davide Santon.
In midfield, then, we’re likely to see one, maybe both of Marcelo Brozovic and Joao Mario, simply because they return sooner. Don’t exclude Geoffrey Kondogbia, either, though there’s a reason France haven’t been calling him up.
In attack, on the other hand, Candreva looks to have the edge over Eder, if nothing else because Pioli doesn’t want to row with the talented winger again. Perisic and Icardi are irreplaceable.
From SOS Fanta, Italy's Top Fantasy Football Hub!
adapted by @EdoDalmonte
