The choice of Cristian Chivu is now clear: Andy Diouf will be regularly deployed as a full wing-back. According to Corriere dello Sport, the Inter coach confirmed in a press conference his intention to continue down this path, after already testing it last season.
Chivu sees important qualities in the Frenchman for the wing role, qualities that the player himself, before arriving in Milan, did not think he possessed. The coach is convinced that Diouf‘s initiative on the pitch can bring a lot to the team. In the individual meetings scheduled for these days, the coach will try to further strengthen the player’s belief in the validity of this tactical solution.
According to the intentions of the Nerazzurri club, Diouf will become the alternative to the starter that Inter hopes to sign as soon as possible on the market. The definitive move of the former Lens player to the wing would free up a spot in midfield, without necessarily having to sacrifice Luis Henrique. The Brazilian could be permanently shifted to the left wing as a backup to Federico Dimarco, with Carlos Augusto moved to the role of vice-Bastoni.
This latter hypothesis is less revolutionary, given that at Marseille, under De Zerbi’s guidance, Luis Henrique had already played several times on the opposite flank. The Brazilian’s future, however, remains tied to any potential market offers, which would certainly be considered, but does not depend on Diouf‘s tactical evolution.
If both were to remain with the Nerazzurri, an unprecedented scenario would take shape: the Italian champions would use the two alternatives to the starting wing-backs in midfield with their inverted foot. This novelty could help Chivu make the team’s play more unpredictable ahead of next season.
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