In the Zone: How Inter shut out Arsenal

Inter secured a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Stadio San Siro on Wednesday.

In this article brought to you by FedEx, UEFA match observer Gareth Southgate, working together with UEFA's analysis unit, highlights how Simone Inzaghi's side nullified the Premier League team's attacking threat with a superbly disciplined defensive structure and the organisational nous of goalscorer and Player of the Match Hakan Çalhanoğlu.

In their customary 5-3-2 set-up, Inter displayed intensity and desire out of possession to apply pressure and disrupt Arsenal's attacking build-up in key moments. Despite just 40% possession and only 25 attacks against Arsenal's 78, the home side were more decisive in both penalty boxes when it mattered.

The first video clip illustrates several vital components of what Inzaghi described afterwards as Inter's "solidity" without the ball. In a compact mid-block, the 5-3-2 system is clear.

"Both forwards worked well for the team," noted Southgate, who also highlighted the vital role of the side centre-backs, Benjamin Pavard and Yann Bisseck, in stepping out of the back line to follow Arsenal's Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino and snuff out opportunities to progress play. "Bisseck pushing all the way in on Trossard was definitely key," explained the former England manager.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu's crucial role in the centre of pitch also drew praise. It's worth observing how the Türkiye captain constantly scans while organising the two midfielders alongside him, covering and screening forward passes and maintaining pressure on Thomas Partey as Inter's collective endeavours force Arsenal backwards.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu managed an impressive seven ball recoveries – joint highest with Bisseck among Inter's players and second only to Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, who registered nine.

The midfield orchestrator also shone in possession, completing the most line-breaking actions (nine) and scoring the decisive goal. "He always looked to get on the ball and progress the game with line-breaking passes," said Southgate. "And he had a calm head to score the winning penalty."

When Arsenal did manage to advance in search of an equaliser, Inter's discipline in the low block stood out.

The second clip shows an example from late in the second half as Arsenal piled on concerted pressure that led to 13 corners and a total of 47 attempted crosses – compared with zero and six for Inter.

By this stage of the game, Inzaghi had replaced the three midfielders to maintain cohesion and work rate out of possession.

Davide Frattesi's replacement as a right-sided No8, Nicolò Barella, offers vital cover to wing-back Denzel Dumfries, creating a defensive 2v1. Southgate highlighted the effort in wide areas of Inter's midfielders on both sides. "Inter's defending of the wingers was excellent," he said. "It helped nullify Arsenal's biggest threat."

When the cross eventually comes in, Inter's numerical advantage, sound positioning and the good body shape of all their defenders allows Matteo Darmian to make the crucial first contact to clear the danger. "Their formation allows them a lot of bodies in the box to defend crosses," explained Southgate. "They headed a lot of balls out in the last 20 minutes."

This example was one of 40 completed clearances by Inter players as their defensive wall stood firm to seal the victory that propelled them to fifth in the table. Hakan Çalhanoğlu recognised the collective effort afterwards. "Sometimes you have to suffer," he said. "And today we worked very well and with a lot of sacrifice from everybody in the team to earn this important victory."