UEFA Champions League 2011: Why Inter Milan's Defensive Strategy Needs To Change

Inter Milan began feeling the heat after losing its Serie A opener at Palermo on Sunday, 4-3, sparking criticism of coach Gian Piero Gasperini's three-man defense.

After Gasperini opted to switch to a more traditional four-man back line on Wednesday against Turkish club Trabzonspor and still lost, 1-0, it's unclear what Inter should do at this point.

Normally, I would have disagreed with the sentiment that Gasperini should change his defensive strategy, given Inter won the 2010 Champions League title last year by opting to simply outscore their opponents.

But this is a different team, without striker Samuel Eto'o, and I believe Inter made the right choice in deciding to switch to a four-man defense on Wednesday.

Inter simply cannot expect to outscore its foes anymore given its losses. What once was an electric offense cannot overcome a vulnerable defense anymore, or a vulnerable defensive scheme.

While the club's 1-0 loss was undoubtedly a disappointment on Wednesday, its 4-3 defeat on Sunday was more disheartening, because it showed that Inter simply cannot play the same style that made them champions just a year ago.

As many goals that were scored on Sunday, you got the feeling that Inter could have given up even more scores and were in fact fortunate to have only given up four by the end of regulation.

Club president Massimo Moratti, who appeared to inspire the change before Wednesday's match, shouldn't lose confidence. He made the right move and Inter simply wasn't good enough against Trabzonspor.

It appears Inter is in for a long season, but the club can at least make progress under this new defensive scheme and stay in matches instead of getting blown out.

While Inter fans certainly can't be happy right now, they should be thanking their lucky stars that their club has the wisdom to know when to make a change.