Argentina coach Scaloni calls Inter one of the ‘most offensive teams’ in Europe | OneFootball

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made a flattering reference to Simone Inzaghi’s Inter, labelling them as one of the ‘most offensive teams’ in Europe despite playing with five defenders.

The Albiceleste lost their last South American World Cup qualifier 2-1 away to Paraguay, with Torino’s Antonio Sanabria scoring a fantastic bicycle kick goal minutes after Lautaro Martinez’s opener.

Ahead of their second game of November’s international break against Perù, Scaloni explained why their opponents’ back-five doesn’t necessarily make them a ‘defensive’ team, mentioning Inter’s tactical set-up as an example.

Scaloni: Inter one of the most offensive European teams despite five-man defence

“[Perù] Coach Fossati has always played with five men in defence, using a 5-3-2 formation,” Scaloni told reporters at a pre-match press conference, as quoted by TMW.

“I’m not sure if they’ll play differently, but I don’t think they are a defensive team. Inter play with a back five and are one of the most offensive teams in European football.

“Peru have interesting players and could have earned more points. We’ll need to be careful.”

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 22: Lionel Scaloni Head Coach of Argentina at the start of the International Friendly match against El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field on March 22, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Getty Images)

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter were the most prolific side in Serie A last season, as they scored 89 goals in 38 games, 13 more than Milan, who were the second-best attack.

However, the Nerazzurri scored five goals less than Atalanta in the first 12 Serie A games this season, with La Dea boasting two players among the four top scorers, Mateo Retegui and Ademola Lookman.