Opposition focus: Venezia

Following the home win over Fiorentina, which took Inter to 22 points from eight games, the Nerazzurri turn their attention to the season’s first midweek round of Serie A fixtures, with a trip to Venezia on Wednesday 28 October at 18:30 CET. Chivu’s side, joint top with Lazio, head to the Penzo with seven wins and a draw. They face a Venezia side coming off a 1-0 defeat to Genoa at Marassi, their seventh loss in eight league games. The Lagunari, who returned to the top flight as last season’s Serie B champions, have recorded one win, against Napoli, since Davide Nicola replaced Giovanni Stroppa as head coach on 14 October.

FORMATION AND STYLE OF PLAY

Venezia began the season under Giovanni Stroppa with an approach focused on build-up play and creating attacking openings down the flanks. Their 3-5-2 featured two quick, physically strong forwards, a dynamic midfield and two tireless wing-backs, with plenty of players getting into the box. The squad had undergone several changes from the previous season, with summer signings adding quality and experience. The players needed to adapt quickly to a league with a different pace and intensity from Serie B. The opening games showed a Venezia side capable of keeping possession and building attacks through their passing, but also vulnerable when they lost the ball and had to regroup. Figures from the early rounds show average possession of 57.1%, among the highest in the league. That reflects their determination to remain faithful to their playing principles, but it has not been matched by clinical finishing or defensive solidity, with control of the ball failing to produce a consistent end product. The change of coach marked an important moment in the Lagunari’s season. In his first two games in charge, Davide Nicola retained the 3-5-2 with which Stroppa had started the campaign, seeking to improve the spacing between the lines, limit the room afforded to opponents and make the team more effective out of possession.

SEASON SO FAR

The figures from the opening eight rounds reflect Venezia’s difficult start: three points, six goals scored and 17 conceded, leaving a goal difference of -11. The Lagunari have struggled to find consistency and have been punished particularly for mistakes in their own half. Their expected goals figures, however, offer an interesting insight. Venezia have generated around 1.7 xG per game, suggesting a greater attacking threat and ability to create shooting opportunities than their goal tally alone indicates. Converting those chances has therefore been a problem, alongside limiting opportunities at the other end.

Defensively, around two expected goals conceded per game over the same period underline the quantity and quality of chances afforded to opponents. Venezia’s attacking intent nevertheless remains clear. Their preference for possession and use of crosses reflect a desire to build attacks and create openings through the wide areas. Stroppa’s final three games, against Fiorentina, Lazio and Atalanta, all ended in defeat, but the statistics show a proactive side capable of creating several chances. They had 63% possession against the Viola, 67% in Bergamo and 49% against the Biancocelesti, while registering 16 shots against Lazio and 18 against Atalanta.

Nicola’s first game, against Napoli, followed a different pattern. Venezia defended deeper and stayed compact, largely allowing the visitors to take the initiative (just 28% possession for the Lagunari) before striking on the counter through Adams. Against Genoa, they returned to a more proactive approach, but 20 shots and 58% possession were not enough to prevent a seventh defeat in eight league games. Despite an xG figure of 1.77, they failed to turn their numerous chances into goals. There was, however, a clear intent to play forward and find combinations between the front two of Adams and Yeboah, with the wide players posing their usual threat.

KEY PLAYERS

Venezia’s revamped squad has an average age of around 26, blending experienced players with promising youngsters. They can call on players with character and technical quality, particularly in attack. Akor Adams is one of their main attacking focal points. The Nigerian striker arrived from Sevilla to provide physical presence, runs in behind and finishing ability. He has scored twice in the league and leads the squad for shots attempted, with 29. His movement into the box and ability to occupy centre-backs make him an important reference point in attack. Alongside him is John Yeboah, whose strengths include pace and quality in one-on-one situations. The Ecuadorian can start out wide and cut inside, carrying the ball to create overloads or making runs in behind. He finished last season’s Serie B campaign with ten goals and as many assists, playing a key role in Venezia’s promotion. His ability to change pace can be particularly valuable in transition.

On the right, Antoine Hainaut provides energy, tireless running and overlapping runs. The Frenchman is heavily involved in the team’s attacking play, making forward runs and delivering crosses to the strikers in the box. His two goals this season underline the additional threat he offers. Meanwhile, Haps, Correia and the returning Mazzocchi have alternated on the opposite flank. In midfield, with the influential Gianluca Busio absent, Perez, Basic and Sohm bring energy and quality on the ball, looking to pick out forward passes, support attacks and shield the defence.

At the back, Juan Jesus provides experience alongside younger players such as Halhal and Moreno (both born in 2003), Schingtienne (2002) and Bella-Kotchap (2001). In goal, Filip Stanković produced an outstanding performance against Napoli, playing a starring role in the victory and saving a penalty from Kevin De Bruyne.

Inter will therefore face a Venezia side seeking greater stability and much-needed points. Nicola’s team, currently bottom with three points, will look to the backing of their home crowd to trouble the reigning Italian champions, who arrive on the back of a comeback win over Fiorentina.