Thierry Henry: ‘You’re in trouble if you meet Inzaghi in a Cup competition’

 

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has explained why he’s a fan of Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi and his team.

The former Barcelona striker noted that the intelligent tactical system on display stands the Italian manager out as it helps against top clubs like Manchester City or Arsenal.

The Nerazzurri are coasting to victory for the Scudetro after securing a commanding 15-point lead in Serie A courtesy of a 2-1 win over Genoa on Monday evening at the Guiseppe Meaza.

The win over Alberto Gilardino’s Genoa has put the Nerazurri in the driving seat for the Scudetto with just 11 matches left to play.

Apart from that, they are also looking to complete some unfinished business in the Champions League. Having won the first leg of the last 16 against Real Sociedad, Inter want to go one step further following their painful loss to Manchester City in the final in Istanbul last season. This was a match they could’ve won had things turned out a little differently.

Speaking with Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports UK, Henry, after being asked to name a coach he’s a fan of, mentioned Inzaghi, whom he has been following for a very long time since his Lazio days.

Henry pointed out that the inter-boss was known as a guy who is difficult to defeat in a cup tie.

“We saw Manchester City struggling against his Inter in that Champions League final with their 3-5-2. What I like about Inzaghi is that he plays with two centre forwards.”

Speaking further about Inzaghi’s choice of using two strikers, he said it works against teams like Arsenal or Manchester City that play possessive football.

While noting that the Serie A leaders sometimes play as a 3-if in possession, and the transition will happen, especially against a team with wingers high and wide, which becomes tough.

“I like how his 5-3-2 looks; if we take Inter and you have Barella, Calhanoglu, and Mkhitaryan, you have guys who can be three 6s. 

“But when you have the ball, you have Lautaro Martinez who will come, and Marcus Thuram who’ll run into the channel when Federico Dimarco doesn’t, or Dumfries or Darmian doesn’t,” he added.

With the Scudetto almost in the bag, Inter will focus on winning their second Champions League title. They will have to defend their 1-0 lead from the first leg of the last 16 on Wednesday, March 13.

Written by Oladipupo Mojeed