Inter's Lack of Centre Back Depth Is Proving to Be Costly

Saturday's Derby della Madonnina was met with the sort of anticipation we haven't seen since Jose Mourinho and Massimiliano Allegri were in charge of the respective Milan clubs.

Inter - poised for a deep Scudetto run this season following a 'so close, yet so far' denoted campaign last time out - welcomed a Milan side who are currently enjoying their longest unbeaten run since they were last champions of Europe 13 years ago.

A tight, tactical war of attrition was expected but within 20 minutes, one side had seized total supremacy.

The firing Rossoneri raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace and although Inter threatened a comeback akin to their remarkable turnaround the last time the two sides met, it was Stefano Pioli's side who enjoyed local bragging rights as Milan held on for a 2-1 win.

The visitors' success was built off stout defensive play spearheaded by the ever-impressive Simon Kjaer, while the superb pivot of Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie supplied stability and balance in Pioli's 4-2-3-1.

On the contrary, Antonio Conte's Inter were anything but secure protecting Samir Handanovic's goal. Milan sought to exploit the Nerazzurri's frailties defending transitions and had remarkable success early on. It's an area Inter have looked vulnerable ever since Conte's subtle system switch to facilitate a creator following Christian Eriksen's January arrival. On Saturday, it was Nicolo Barella - more of a box-to-box - playing as the 'one' in a 3-4-1-2.

Milan's two opening goals both came from blistering transitions. While Ibrahimovic's first was gifted by the rashest of Aleksandar Kolarov challenges inside the box, the Rossoneri's second was a thing of beauty - one that encapsulated Inter's woes defending swift breaks.

Marcelo Brozovic - whose form has dipped since his removal from a holding role - refused to slow his feet down as he attempted to challenge Alexis Saelemaekers deep in Milan's half, allowing the Belgian to spin the Croatian at a canter. The ball was then efficiently switched out to Rafael Leão before a rapid change of pace from the talented 21-year-old left Danilo D'Ambrosio for dead. The Portuguese forward's cross was exceptional, with Ibrahimovic the beneficiary as he tapped home.

Just like Sassuolo in June's 3-3 draw and Fiorentina last month, Milan had exploited the over-aggression of Inter's midfield and sheer lack of athleticism in their backline.

However, Saturday's derby not only further emphasised Inter's struggles at defending the counter but also how Conte's cover options for his supreme starting centre-back triumvirate - a trio largely responsible for helping Inter to the best defensive record in Serie A last term - are simply not up to scratch.

Both Kolarov and D'Ambrosio fit into the 'he can probably do a job in a three' category after establishing themselves as full-backs. The ageing pair, however, lack the requisite dynamism needed function effectively as Conte wing-backs. It's centre-back or bust for the duo, with Inter's decision to replace Diego Godin - who joined Genoa in the summer - with Kolarov looking stranger by the game.

While Conte has the luxury of rotating Alexis Sanchez with Lautaro Martinez up top and can seemingly pick three names out of a hat for his starting midfield trio such is the wealth of riches in that position, Inter are worrying short at centre-back. Why were they even considering parting ways with Milan Skriniar in the summer, even if the Slovak has struggled to adjust to since Conte's arrival after emerging as a world class centre-back in Luciano Spalletti's back four?

There's no denying that Inter completed some tidy work in the recent transfer window with Achraf Hakimi and Arturo Vidal already proving to be fantastic additions, but their inability to bolster at the back has cost them early in a season where slip-ups have to be kept to a bare minimum.

They should've pursued Hellas Verona's Marash Kumbulla with more desire. The 20-year-old was there for the taking but it was Roma who completed the rather complex deal for the Albanian. After excelling in a back three Ivan Juric's aggressive man-marking system at Verona, Kumbulla was a sure bet to thrive under Conte and he undoubtedly boasted the potential to usurp Skriniar at San Siro.

Nevertheless, Inter had a quick chance to put things right following derby disappointment in their opening Champions League encounter of the season against a well-coached Borussia Monchengladbach side on Wednesday night.

With D'Ambrosio and Kolarov improved from their Milan shockers, the Nerazzurri impressed for the most part. Their fierce man-oriented press blunted the Germans and the hosts controlled the contest in large swathes, yet they conceded twice and it was up to Romelu Lukaku, once again, to bail Inter out. On this occasion, it was Vidal's over aggression and Florian Neuhaus' awe-inspiring technique which handed the visitors their goals. There's no doubting the Nerazzurri's defensive improvements on Wednesday night from a collective standpoint.

While there should be minimal concerns regarding the imperious Skriniar/Stefan De Vrij/Alessandro Bastoni trio, a huge question mark resides by Inter's defensive depth.

Although they're mere back-ups, D'Ambrosio, Kolarov and Andrea Ranocchia - average age of 32.66 - are way off the required level to win a Scudetto. For a swift comparison, just take a look at the sheer depth Andrea Pirlo has at his disposal for his back three over in Turin.

If Inter are to usurp Juventus in Serie A this term, Conte will need his favoured starting trio available for the vast majority of Inter's fixtures, with the Nerazzurri poised to pay for oversights in the transfer market.

Oh, and if you could return to the 3-5-2 which you introduced to San Siro upon your arrival, Antonio, that'd be great. You might/will be a little stabler defending transitions with Brozovic in his preferred role.