Barella shines in Conte masterclass over Juventus

Juventus defeat for a second time this season in the Serie A. Antonio Conte’s Inter side secure a 2-0 victory over the Old Lady with goals from Arturo Vidal and Nicolo Barella claiming an important three points.

Spring of 2014, veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo is celebrating Juventus’ 116th league title, under experienced boss Antonio Conte.

Fast forward six and a half years, the student faces the teacher as Pirlo becomes the Old Lady’s manager and Conte is in charge of the blue half of Milan. They faced on the touchline as Inter defeated Juventus by 2-0.

Nicolo Barella shone for the Nerazzurri, author of the cross that helped Vidal open the scoring and the goal that sealed the night early on in the second half.

Fireworks were heard and seen around the stadium, as the players walked in the Giuseppe Meazza, setting the stage for a dramatic and very much tactical 175th Derby d’Italia.

It had all the prospects of an interesting contest, two of Serie A’s finest goal scorers; Cristiano Ronaldo with 15 goals and Romelu Lukaku with 12 goals.

It seemed though, that the visitors had the momentum as they were looking for a fourth consecutive win and a fight for title hopes, meanwhile Inter have only had one win in 2021.

Moreover, it was the best attack in Italy with 43 goals and one of the best in Europe just under PSG with 44 and Bayern Munich with 48; facing the league’s best defence, conceding only 16 goals.

Vidal cut the ribbon by a striking header from close range as Inter found the net from yet another header. Achraf Hakimi proved important indirectly this time, the Moroccan’s experience on the left side with German side Borussia Dortmund increased his versatility.

Cutting inside with pace and creating space for Barella, thanks to Hakimi’s movement, the midfielder had the freedom to put a comfortable and precise cross towards Vidal’s head.

Inter’s number two is everything but a shy defender, scoring six and creating three, proving crucial to Antonio Conte’s side.

His contribution represents almost a quarter of the Black and Blue’s league goals, he was seen on several occasions close to the forward line, almost as if a right-winger, illustrating an exceptional instance of the perfect modern wing-back.

 

Conte’s pressing system has been of massive help to the scoreline and season results quite frankly. Three central defenders with ball carrying skills and composure, supported by two wingbacks, making it five defenders on the defensive and on certain occasions a midfielder shielding them.

A resilient midfield with a high work ethic, switching positions with understanding to help when and where needed.

In spite of the different qualities that each of them celebrates, they share the box to box criteria, giving them fewer restrictions and more numbers in the box at the right time, similarly to Vidal’s goal where there was a situation of 4v3 in their favour.

The midfield line is never afraid to move across, up and down the pitch to create more passing opportunities for their teammates.

Finally, a nonstop running pair of strikers horizontally and vertically to cut any passing lanes, reinforced by one or two man-marking central players.

As a result, even if out of position, there’s no need to worry as chances are the ball will be forced towards the touchline, backwards or long increasing the chances of recovery, frustration and desperation for the opponent.

With the lack of options in the away build-up, Ronaldo, the league’s most clinical player, has to drop deep and fit in the role of the playmaker. Meaning that a chunk of threat in the Inter box has been cancelled.

Now this plan might have another outcome where the Portuguese can manage to break the host’s lines, though that was an event that was not witnessed much. By the end of the first half the 34-year-old had 48 touches and only two shots, with one on target, both came in the first half.

Instead, one of the Juventus midfielders would rush into the box to make up for Ronaldo’s absence. Nevertheless, their effectiveness is almost non-existent, to add to it, they leave their space for La Beneamata to counter through.

Another scenario is the following, Juventus playing a high block and pushing players forward in hopes of breaking through, a high-risk manoeuvre with an old and pace lacking defensive line with the absence of Matthijs de Ligt.

That one backfired and Barella was there to give the perfect instance, in the 52nd minute, one pass was enough from Alessandro Bastoni across the whole pitch to the 23-year-old, who outpaced the veterans to double Inter’s lead.

Once again, for all of this to happen, Inter must give up possession. That means making the most out of what could be a few opportunities. Hence why four out of their last ten league goals have come from crosses or corners.

To exemplify that, a simple look at the end of the game statistics can be enough. Despite having the smaller part of possession (48%) the hosts managed 17 shots, five of which were on target while the Bianconeri had nine, with four directed at the goal.

A few moments following the second goal Pirlo introduced Dejan Kulusevski and Federico Bernardeschi to add some energy and skill to get back in the game, however, it was too late for the young coach as the winners were happy to tighten the lines, surround and fill the box and ultimately secure the three valuable points.

The Catenaccio perfector outworked the new boss with an exceptional masterclass to keep his side close to the top and retaining their rivals at a safe distance.

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