Where does Brazilian starlet Gabigol fit into Inter’s team?
Expectations are high and Frank De Boer has now plenty of tactical choices having the likes of Gabigol, Icardi, Perisic, Eder and Candreva in his attacking pack.
But where does the Brazilian starlet fit into Inter’s team given that Icardi is playing as a sole striker in a 4-3-3- system? Our pundit Alessandro Di Gioia analyzes all options that De Boer can use.
SYSTEM: 4-3-3 OF 4-2-3-1
ROLE: WINGER
He can either play on the left or on the right. On the left he could be more helpful to provide assists, on the opposite flank it might be easier for him to find the net with long-range shots. He has already played right winger with Santos and has made his best performances with Brazil national team playing in the right-winger position. Competitions for the left and right flank, however, is massive with Ivan Perisic, Antonio Candreva and Eder also in the squad.
SYSTEM: 4-2-3-1
ROLE: ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
He has never covered this role in his career, but this tactical solution is tempting De Boer who could start the Brazilian in that position during home games against teams that sit back and try to score through counter-attacks. With Icardi who is playing for the team more than what he used to last season, he could make the most of some assists provided by the Argentinean.
SYSTEM: 4-4-2 OR 4-2-3
ROLE: SUPPORT STRIKER
That’s probably the system Inter fans would prefer: a 4-4-2 system (with Joao Mario on the right flank to provide more cover. Trouble is: can Icardi and Gabigol play together? Theoretically yes, but theoretically also Jovetic and Icardi could and we all know how it ended up last season. Icardi is a classic centre forward and Gabigol’s presence could give them both much more freedome.
SYSTEM: 4-3-3
ROLE: ICARDI’S BACK-UP
It is complicated to imagine Icardi relegated on the bench because Gabigol has yet to adapt to Italian football, not to mention that Icardi is probably in the best form of his career, whilst Gabigol is not a classic centre forward and this solution can only be used in case of emergency.
Alessandro Di Gioia, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
