In Focus: Cup specialist Inzaghi can lead Inter to victory in Istanbul

It has been a mixed season for Simone Inzaghi that is ending on a high. 

Inter Milan were disappointing in Serie A before finding some late form to finish third. 

Their recovery coincided with the business end of two cup competitions, as the Nerazzurri won the Coppa Italia and reached the Champions League final. 

Ahead of Inter's clash with Manchester City on Saturday, we put Inzaghi under the spotlight. 

Initial challenges

Inzaghi took over at Inter ahead of the 2021-22 season, at a time that was on one hand ideal, but also challenging. 

The job became available when Antonio Conte departed, shortly after delivering the Serie A title to the San Siro.

Yet though he was handed the reins of the best team in Italy, he would quickly have to rebuild, with important players such as Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi being sold. 

Despite having relatively modest funds for recruitment, Inter came close to retaining their title in Inzaghi's first season, finishing just two points behind eventual champions AC Milan. 

They also won the Supercoppa Italia and Coppa Italia. With Lukaku returning on loan from Chelsea, there was reason to be optimistic about this season, but it has not been a smooth ride. 

Rollercoaster season

Inter were never in any real contention to hunt down runaway champions Napoli this term, with possible successors to Inzaghi being discussed at various points through the campaign.

Five defeats from seven league games between February and April increased the heat on the former Italy and Lazio forward but it was the cup form that convinced San Siro chiefs to keep their nerve.

After pipping Barcelona to qualification from Group C alongside Bayern Munich, Inter then progressed past Porto, Benfica and old rivals Milan to reach the Istanbul showpiece.

A Coppa Italia triumph over Fiorentina last month further secured Inzaghi's spot in the dugout in what he admits has been a difficult campaign.

He said: "This is the 57th game of the season. It has been a very long season — we have had highs and lows.

"In the lows, we improved and grew. We have learnt from our defeats. The players have dug deep and worked hard. Our efforts have brought us here to this moment."

Selection dilemma

A key reason for the turnaround has been the form of Lukaku. Rarely available prior to the World Cup due to injuries, it took a long time for the striker to rediscover his sharpness. 

Eventually, it came. Not least because Inzaghi kept faith in the Belgian, giving him regular starts in Serie A, while Edin Dzeko was tasked with partnering Lautaro Martinez in cup competitions. 

Now the manager has a selection dilemma. Dzeko scored the important opening goal in the semi-final first-leg victory over Milan, but Lukaku has notched seven and assisted five from his last 11 appearances. 

Inzaghi has long been an advocate of a 3-5-2 formation, which he utilised at Lazio, before his move to Inter. 

Having two strikers will be key to their chances to pulling off a shock against City. Whoever partners Martinez, the Argentine tends to deliver, scoring 11 goals from his last 13 games. 

Inzaghi has only ever lost one of the eight finals he has reached as a coach.

Expect his tactical acumen and man-management to help Inter rise to the big occasion in Turkey.