Inter - Real Sociedad (12 Dec 23) [0-0]

[YoramG]

The last player I want to see here is Sanchez honestly. Like others have said, they'll press us relentlessly and at least Arnautovic can somewhat hold the ball up, whereas I have no trust in Alexis to do so.

Everything else, 100% faith in Inzaghi.

 

[bubba zanetti]

I dont know what is worse, to play Sanchez or Arnautović.

 

[thatdude]

Brais Mendez is out of the game. He's been their top scorer in the CL and scored against us in the first game also.

https://Twitter.com/footballespana_/status/1733849053061112277?s=46&t=kqNWo5xw29PLUHWHqYuhXQ

Brutal injury tbh. Big loss for them.

 

[thatdude]

The key to beating this Sociedad team is surviving their early onslaught. They press extremely high and create a ton of chances early in matches. A tie at half time would almost guarantee a win.

When you see their game vs Barca in La Liga that’s exactly how it went. They battered them but somehow didn’t score then ran out of gas and Barca punished them. The match vs us was the same thing. We were dominated for the majority but in the end we could have won it with a bit more time.

 

[ADRossi]

The key to beating this Sociedad team is surviving their early onslaught. They press extremely high and create a ton of chances early in matches. A tie at half time would almost guarantee a win.

When you see their game vs Barca in La Liga that’s exactly how it went. They battered them but somehow didn’t score then ran out of gas and Barca punished them. The match vs us was the same thing. We were dominated for the majority but in the end we could have won it with a bit more time.

Are they going to press that high in an away fixture, though? Especially when they only need one point.

 

[CoolMan44]

When I last watched them in an away game, it was against Real Madrid and they definitely did not sit back. They started similar to how they started against us and took the lead, but Real scored two goals later and won the game.

I think that's just their style of play and they probably won't change it - unless someone who has watched them more can comment.

 

[thatdude]

Are they going to press that high in an away fixture, though? Especially when they only need one point.

Them only needing a draw is a good point. However I think they really only know how to play one way. They played with the same high press away at Barca.

 

[Besnik]

Are they going to press that high in an away fixture, though? Especially when they only need one point.

Playing for a draw is a dangerous game, especially if you are defensively not good enough.

 

[CoolMan44]

I like the fact that we need to win this game. If we want to be a top team we need to win these games, not just go for a draw.

 

[Raul Duke]

Most of the time teams set out to press us with a frenzied intensity, it ends up costing them in the second half. We saw some of this against Napoli.

If we’re able to absorb them in the first half, we’ll be in a good position to win it.

Asllani in particular struggled with the press in the first leg, Arna failed to provide an outlet and Bastoni gifted them an early goal. I expect we’ll be better prepared for them this time around.

 

[RickyMaravilla'sRightFoot]

It’s a must win and we should treat it as such. Rotate vs Lazio if necessary; this match has bigger ramifications.

It should be the strongest 11 available. Maybe give Frattesi the start over Mkhi since the former didn’t play at the weekend, but Inzaghi probably won’t do it. If Denzel is fit, we play Darmian and Dumfries on the right side and if not it’s gotta be Bisseck slotting in at RCB and Darmian pushing up.

Thuram will be very important for us having an outball in this match. If we try to get too slick with the passing early on, they could make us pay dearly for any error. As @thatdude has pointed out, they only really play one way— aggressive press and try to suffocate you with an early blitz. We would do better to not to play into it and keep it tight until they start to tire themselves out.

 

[CafeCordoba]

Them only needing a draw is a good point. However I think they really only know how to play one way. They played with the same high press away at Barca.

But they definitely didn't do that against Villarreal. I mean, they weren't like great against them in the first 40mins I skimmed the match. It was pretty back and forth and there weren't any clear cut chances for Sociedad.

One thing is they gonna have Oyarzabal back, tho dunno if he can start yet, perhaps but he's a lot more skillful than Sadiq. Mendez missing is a big thing. They are also missing Barrenetxea, the starting LW.

 

[bolo]

we'll win this
and face PSG next

 

[javier_zanetti <3]

we'll win this
and face PSG next

Porto.

 

[dejavu]

I don’t know if we should start Bisseck for this game. Kubo vs Bisseck gives me a lot of anxiety. It’s gotta be Damian at RCB and Cuadrado on RWB…..as unpopular as that might be to some.

 

[Sawyer]

I obviously want to top this group, no doubt. However.. its the champions league, let's play champions and show the world we are Inter. I honestly don't mind who we play next round, putting such an importance on this game we could end up with PSG anyway. I get so much more excited playing bigger teams and for some reason less nervous.

We should be playing our first team available to us and going for the win no doubt, which I think we will but I also think we grab the 3 points regardless as long as any changes are not drastic.

 

[brehme1989]

Can they leave Zubimendi behind when they return?

 

[wera]

I don’t know if we should start Bisseck for this game. Kubo vs Bisseck gives me a lot of anxiety. It’s gotta be Damian at RCB and Cuadrado on RWB…..as unpopular as that might be to some.

Kubo will face Dimarco and Bastoni, not Bisseck

 

[varmin]

Are they going to press that high in an away fixture, though? Especially when they only need one point.

Spanish are not like Italian ultra tacticians. They will play their game, and will try to score early, which can put a lot of pressure on Inter.

 

[drekaforzainter]

The key to beating this Sociedad team is surviving their early onslaught. They press extremely high and create a ton of chances early in matches. A tie at half time would almost guarantee a win.

When you see their game vs Barca in La Liga that’s exactly how it went. They battered them but somehow didn’t score then ran out of gas and Barca punished them. The match vs us was the same thing. We were dominated for the majority but in the end we could have won it with a bit more time.

If this is so, than keep thuram for the 2nd half of the game to bring speed and trickery into the game. I preferred arnautovic than alexis, coz alexis has a tendency losing the ball in the middle of the park