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A wind of change is blowing upon the Nerazzurri this season. The 2009/10 Italian treble winners now see themselves with a new man at the helm, Antonio Conte, after an average couple of seasons under Luciano Spalleti.
There is also a sense of change in scenery at the San Siro with Inter bringing in six new first-team players into the squad. The departure of Ivan Perisic and Juan Miranda has left a big void at the Nerazzurri core.
Their go-to man for the last 6 years or so, Mauro Icardi, finds himself on the edge of the team with Conte looking to let go of the striker. A similar fate had seen Radja Nainggolan moving back to Cagliari on loan after being informed of not being in Conte's plans for the season.
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After almost a decade long dominance by the Bianconeri, this Serie A season appears to be the most challenging for the defending champions with Napoli and Inter Milan looking very likely to challenge the Turin giants.
Let's take a look a how Inter Milan can lineup in the Serie A this season:
#3 3-5-1-1
The hallmark of an Antonio Conte team is the presence of a back three in defence. The Italian has used this tactic throughout his time in Juventus, Italy and at Chelsea. The 3-5-1-1 will be the least likely formation, of the three mentioned here, that is going to be used by the Italian. Inter Milan had employed this formation in their final International Champions Cup fixture against Valencia.
The defence will be marshalled by Diego Godin in the centre with Steven de Vrij and Milan Skriniar on either side. Danilo D'Ambrosio's versatility could see himself being used as one of the deputies for the three or at either flank.
The two most important positions in the Conte system is the wing-back roles. They provide the attacking width to the system. Kwadwo Asamoah is expected to reprise the left-wing-back role he played under Conte at Juventus while new signing Valentino Lazaro is likely to be used on the opposite flank.
The heart of the midfield could see Marcelo Brozovic being stationed at the base. New signings Nico Barella and Stefan Sensi have been used on either side during the pre-season but the return of Matias Vecino from could see Conte opting for the Uruguayan to provide more grit and aggression to his midfield.
Upfront, Lautaro Marinez could play just behind the striker. The Argentine's quickness and movement of the ball could play as the perfect foil for the newly acquired Romelu Lukaku, who is sure to lead the attack. The rumours of Alexis Sanchez from Manchester United could see Sanchez fitting into that role if Inter can find an agreement with the Manchester club.
#2 3-4-3
Antonio Conte's answer to English football was the introduction of the 3-4-3 system. The Italian had initially struggled to find his best formation in the Premier League as he juggled between three at the back and the conventional back four.
Conte then devised the 3-4-3 formation in an attempt to make use of the quality depth of the Chelsea wingers. A combination of N'golo Kante and Nemanja Matic was used at the heart of the midfield to form an almost impenetrable defensive wall for the Blues.
Samir Handanovic is a sure starter between the posts. Godin, Skirniar and de Vrij will make up the defensive lineup for the Nerazzurris with the former Atletico star likely to start in the middle of the defence. Diego Godin can provide the much-needed experience to the lineup after being part of one of the meanest defence in Europe for the past few years.
Asamoah and Lazaro will most likely start on the wings. These wide players will provide the attacking width to the team during the buildup. Conte, during his time with Chelsea, used Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses as wing backs to devastating effect as Chelsea went on to win the Premier League in his debut season.
New signing Nico Barrella and Marcelo Brozovic can provide the defensive reinforcement to his 3-man defensive lineup. Unlike the Kante-Matic duo, the Inter Milan central midfielders contain players who are equally adept at dictating the speed of the match as well as being rigid figures in front of the defence.
Lautaro Martinez might be forced to play on the left, as the Argentine's pace and direct approach could prove to be a nightmare for any defence. Romelu Lukaku is a sure starter at the front for the Nerazzurri with Matteo Politano likely to be used on the right.
#1 3-5-2
It was during his first stint in the top tier of Italian football that Antonio Conte switched from a back four to a back three. The former Italian and Juventus midfielder gained huge success as his Juventus team became the dominant force in Italy. Conte won three successive Serie A titles with the Bianconeri and brought back the 3-man defensive formation to the Italian league.
Samir Handanovic provides excellent quality in goal. Conte has once again made an eye-catching defensive lineup comprising of Diego Godin, Milan Skirniar and Stevan de Vrij. Danilo D'Ambrosio and Andrea Ranocchia will provide quality backup for these three men.
The presence of Kwadwo Asamoah is a bonus to Conte with Ghanian already having experience playing under the manager as well as in this system. Asamoah is likely to be partnered on the right by new signing Valentino Lazaro.
Conte might be tempted to add another wing-back before the end of the transfer window with Dalbert Henrique the only other recognized wing-back in the squad.
If pre-season friendlies line-ups are to be taken into the fold, new signings Stefano Sensi, Nicollo Barella and Marcelo Brozovic are likely to be a part of the midfield three. The returning Matias Vecino might pose a problem for Conte who may include the Uruguayan in place of Sensi. Roberto Gagliardini, Joao Mario and Borja Valero will provide very good backup to the first team.
Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku will complete the lineup for Antonio Conte's Inter Milan side. Romelu Lukaku, despite being criticized for his poor first touch at Manchester United, is the typical centre forward in the Conte system. The Belgian international will play as the target man for Conte which would then help Martinez to make dangerous runs off the striker.
