Report – Chivu Ready To Abandon Strike Duo & Switch To 3-4-2-1 Formation At Inter Milan | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu is ready to abandon the strike duo at Inter Milan as he transitions to more of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.

When Cristian Chivu took over as Inter coach, the Romanian inherited a team that play in a well-defined shape.

The Nerazzurri have been playing with a back three defense for six years now. Two seasons under Antonio Conte, and four under Simone Inzaghi.

Meanwhile, Chivu doesn’t look like he has any intention of changing the back three. Or at least not right away.

Cristian Chivu Ready To Abandon Strike Duo At Inter Milan

LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on January 26, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

However, while not commented on as much as the back three, a feature of Inter’s play that has been just as important under both Conte and Inzaghi has been the strike partnership.

Once ubiquitous in European football, very few teams at the top level play with two out-and-out centre-forwards now.

However, both Conte and Inzaghi have insisted on a striker duo. They have used two forwards as a clear tandem leading the line, with multiple players coming and going in these roles.

There are clear signs that that is changing under Chivu, however.

Tuttposport note that, even when the 44-year-old has nominally set Inter up in a 3-5-2 shape, the instructions to the strikers have not necessarily to form a tight partnership.

Rather, one forward will stay high up and another will drop into midfield. On the other hand, one member of the midfield trio has reliably pushed up, almost forming a separate line with the deeper striker.

Against Urawa Red Diamonds, Inter’s formation was in fact a clear 3-4-2-1 shape.

Moreover, Tuttosport note, this transition from having two strikers to packing the midfield will inform Inter’s squad-building strategy.

There could be a new chance for Valentin Carboni in the Inter squad. The Argentine is very much a natural attacking midfielder.

And if Carboni is to go out on loan, Tuttosport suggests, Inter will seek a player with a similar profile. In otherwise, somewhat of a successor to Alexis Sanchez.