Faced with an unfavorable situation, Mancini quickly reverted to his conservative mindset.
Since we can't attack, we're getting pressed, then I'll simply defend well.
Hold for a draw, drag it into extra time!
For this, Mancini made a tactical change in midfield decisively.
He changed the formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-1-2.
He aimed to combat Juventus' coordination by adding a defensive midfielder.
Shaqiri was substituted, and the young Croatian Kovacic came on.
As for the changes in the attack line, the experienced Sun Jihai indeed guessed Mancini's next move, which is to play with double strikers.
So, at the start of the second half, seeing Inter's lineup, Sun Jihai joyfully slapped the table:
"See? Double strikers are more suited for Inter now!"
Mancini arranged for Podolski, originally supposed to be on the wing, to return to the center, forming a double striker with Bonazzoli, while Tang Long remained in the attacking midfielder position.
