The Magician's tactic Helenio Herrera's Inter masterclass

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this is my emulation of Helenio Herrera's great Inter tactic

THE RETURN OF THE MAGICIAN HELENIO HERRERA'S INTER RECREATION

The Great Inter of Helenio Herrera: History and Tactics of a Legendary Team
The "Great Inter" of the 1960s, led by president Angelo Moratti and coach Helenio Herrera, marked an era in Italian and European football. Nicknamed "the Magician," Herrera revolutionized how football was played, both on the field and in the players' mindset, with an approach based on tactics, athletic preparation, and psychology.
The Winning Cycle
Herrera's adventure began in 1960, when he was brought in by a president tired of investing without winning. After a couple of initial seasons without success, including a championship loss that gave rise to the expression "Clamoroso al Cibali," Inter found its winning identity starting in the 1962-63 season. The team went on to win:
• Three Scudetti (1962-63, 1964-65, 1965-66, the last of which earned them the star).
• Two European Cups (1963-64, 1964-65).
• Two Intercontinental Cups (1964, 1965).
This team, considered one of the best ever, was made up of exceptional players like goalkeeper Sarti, defenders Facchetti and Burgnich, playmaker Luis Suarez, and forwards Mazzola, Domenghini, and Corso. The cycle ended abruptly in the late '60s following Italy's elimination from the 1966 World Cup and a change in the club's leadership. Herrera always maintained that the only team on par with his Inter was the Real Madrid of Di Stefano, Puskás, and Gento.
Tactical Innovation: From WM to Catenaccio
Initially, Herrera tried to implement the "System" (WM), an offensive formation that showed defensive weaknesses. Following a suggestion from journalist Gianni Brera, "the Magician" decided to adopt an innovative version of the catenaccio, a defensive system created in Austria by Karl Rappan and brought to Italy by Gipo Viani. Unlike a passive defense, Herrera's catenaccio was a dynamic system functional to team play, often described as a "lethal guerrilla tactic."
The key elements of this tactic were:
• The Libero: Armando Picchi was not only the captain but also the defensive pivot, acting behind the defensive line to cover and neutralize threats.
• The Overlapping Full-back: Giacinto Facchetti, on the left, didn't just defend but constantly pushed forward, becoming an extra winger.
• Midfield Density: Midfielder Tagnin was tasked with man-marking the opponent's key playmaker, breaking up plays before they could become dangerous.
• The Counterattack: Inter was a master of the quick counterattack. After drawing opponents into their own half with "short lines," the team would rapidly push forward, using the technique and speed of players like Mazzola to create numerical superiority in attack.
Every player had a precise role: Luis Suarez was the playmaker responsible for turning the action around with quick passes, while Mario Corso acted as a "total" attacking midfielder, free to roam across the entire offensive front.
The Psychology of "the Magician"
Herrera paid attention to every detail, including mental preparation. He was one of the first to introduce motivational phrases in the locker room to push his players to give their best. Mottos like "Taca la bala" (attack the ball), "He who plays alone plays for the opponent," and "Class + intelligence + preparation = Scudetto" became legendary, highlighting the importance of total commitment. He was a charismatic, theatrical, and quirky man, described as a "shaman" capable of enchanting crowds. For Herrera, football was a profession to be meticulously managed in every aspect, and victory was the only goal.
His football philosophy, which combined preparation, intelligence, and class, not only led Inter to victory but also influenced generations of future coaches, leaving a legacy that goes far beyond trophies.


The Great Inter on Football Manager 2024: Helenio Herrera's Tactical Guide


The Great Inter of Helenio Herrera was one of the most iconic and innovative teams in football history. Its blend of catenaccio, discipline, and lethal counter-attacking led to an era of unforgettable success. Replicating this philosophy on Football Manager 2024 can seem like a challenge, but with the right settings, you can recreate the essence of that legendary team.
This guide will show you how to build your own game model, focusing on the possession phase to emulate the verticality, speed, and precise asymmetry that made Herrera's team so formidable.

Formation and Mentality

To start, our tactic will be based on an asymmetric 4-3-3 formation. This formation is ideal for reproducing the structure of Herrera's Inter, with the overlapping full-back Facchetti on one side and the pure winger Jair on the other.
The base mentality will be Balanced. Despite the reputation for "catenaccio," the Great Inter was not a purely defensive team. Herrera aimed for a perfect balance between defense and attack, using the non-possession phase to prepare for devastating counter-attacks that stunned opponents. A balanced mentality will allow you to maintain compactness while also exploiting swift breaks.

In Possession Phase: Speed, Verticality, and Asymmetry

The true essence of Herrera's football was revealed in the transition from defense to attack. The goal is to reproduce a direct, fast, and unpredictable attack, capable of surprising the opposing defense with just a few touches.
• Attacking Width: Set the width to fairly narrow. Herrera's Inter didn't excessively spread the play in attack; instead, they developed it centrally before opening up with quick, vertical passes, exploiting the speed of their forwards.
• Play Style: To ensure the team uses the full width of the pitch when needed, select Play out of defence. This allows for options on both flanks while maintaining central compactness.
• Overlaps: To replicate the historic asymmetry of the Great Inter, activate Overlap left. This will allow Facchetti to push forward on the flank, while winger Mario Corso drifts inside, creating chaos and freeing up space. On the other side, where Burgnich will play, the same instruction will not be activated. The offensive phase will be managed primarily by the right winger Jair, while the full-back stays back to provide defensive cover, just as in reality.
• Verticality: Herrera's philosophy was summarized by the phrase "two or three passes and it's a goal." To reproduce this lethality, set the instruction Pass into spaces. This instruction will prompt your players to look for decisive through balls, leveraging the speed and off-the-ball movement of forwards like Sandro Mazzola.
• Passing and Tempo: To further emphasize verticality and quick action, choose Slightly more direct passing and a Higher tempo. A high tempo forces the team to move the ball quickly, avoiding unnecessary possession and immediately looking for the goal.
• Crosses: Choose Whipped crosses. Whipped crosses are ideal for the fast and agile forwards who rush into the area, making it difficult for opposing defenders to intervene.
• Discipline: Add the instruction More discipline to ensure players strictly follow tactical instructions, reducing unrequested individual initiatives.

Transition Phase: From Catenaccio to a Lethal Counter-attack

The Great Inter was a reactive team par excellence. Its success stemmed from the ability to instantly transform a defensive situation into a lightning-fast attack. To emulate this philosophy, the instructions to set are as follows:
• When Possession is Lost: When Inter loses the ball, the primary instinct is not to leave space. The Regroup instruction will force your players to immediately compact, forming a solid block and minimizing the chances of an opponent's counter-attack. This is the first step to rebuilding Herrera's "iron defense."
• When Possession is Won: Once the ball is recovered, there's no time to waste. By activating the Counter-attack instruction, your team will launch forward at full speed, exploiting the opponent's disorganization to go for goal with a few precise passes. This is when your verticality and high tempo will bear fruit, emulating Herrera's "guerrilla" tactics.

Out of Possession Phase: The Nerazzurri Wall

The heart of Herrera's tactics was his defensive system, a clever fusion of zonal and man-marking. The goal is to create an impenetrable "web" in front of your penalty area, forcing opponents into long passes or long-range shots.
• Line of Engagement: Herrera's Inter operated with a low block, inviting opponents to push forward before striking on the counter.
• Defensive Line: To minimize the space between the midfield and defense, set a higher defensive line. This creates immense density near the box, suffocating vital spaces for opposing forwards.
• Pressing and Tackling: The pressing was intense. Select More intense pressing and Get stuck in. Your team will not give an inch, always trying to win the ball back. (If your players are getting too many yellow or red cards, remove this instruction and leave it only in the personal instruction of some players).
• Defensive Strategy: To force opponents to play how you want them to, give the instruction Force opposition onto flanks. This way, your central block will remain compact, moving the danger away from the penalty area.
Player Roles and Instructions: Herrera's Army
Every player in the Great Inter had a specific task, a specialization that contributed to the system's perfection. Below you will find the ideal role configuration on Football Manager 2024 for each member of the team.
• Goalkeeper: Sarti - Goalkeeper (Defend). No instructions. His role is purely defensive, focused on protecting the goal.
• Right Full-back: Burgnich - Inverted Full-back (Defend). Instructions: Cross less often, Mark tighter, Tackle Harder. Burgnich drifts inside, providing defensive cover and not pushing forward, leaving the offensive phase to Jair.
• Right Central Defender: Guarneri - Central Defender (Defend). Instructions: Tackle Harder, Mark tighter, Close down more, More direct Passes. Aggressive and sharp in marking, he often looks for long balls to trigger counter-attacks.
• Sweeper: Picchi - No-nonsense Defender (Cover). Instructions: Mark tighter, Close down More. Picchi was the last line of defense, the "sweeper" who intervened when his teammates were beaten. Although he was skilled at passing, his primary task remained defensive coverage.
• Left Full-back: Facchetti - Complete Wing-back (Attack). Instructions: Cross more often, Close down More, Tackle Harder. His explosive runs on the flank make him an extra winger.
• Defensive Midfielder: Tagnin - Ball Winning Midfielder (Defend). Instructions: Mark tighter. Tagnin is the heart of Herrera's defensive tactics, with his specific task of man-marking the opponent's key playmaker. His marking of Di Stefano in the European Cup final is legendary.
• Playmaker: Luis Suarez - Roaming Playmaker (Support). No instructions. Suarez was the team's "beacon," with exceptional vision. His role is to set up plays with long, precise passes, also supporting the defensive phase with excellent space coverage. He was the brain that connected defense and attack.
• Left Winger: Mario Corso - Trequartista (Attack). Instructions: Cross more often, Cross from deep, Cross to far post, Cut inside with ball, Shoot more often, Sit narrower, Mark tighter. Corso was an atypical winger who moved across the entire offensive front, cutting inside and leaving space for Facchetti, or shifting to the right. His versatility is replicated by these instructions, which cause him to move between the flank and the center. Alternatively, you can play him as an Attacking Midfielder (Central) with the "Stay wider" instruction to have him start from the left.
• Right Winger: Jair - Winger (Attack). Instructions: More direct passes, Roam from position, Close down More, Tackle Harder, Mark tighter. Jair is the attacking man on the right flank, with purely offensive duties and freedom to roam.
• Second Striker: Sandro Mazzola – Deep-Lying Forward (Support). Instructions: Dribble more, Shoot less often, Roam from position, Stay wider, Close down More, Tackle Harder. Mazzola is the offensive wildcard who roams the attacking front, working difficult balls and linking up with teammates, especially with Corso and Facchetti.
• Centre Forward: Milani - Advanced Forward (Attack). No instructions. His job is to finish the action and serve as a reference point up front.

RESULTS

Serie A: winner (94 points, 38 games played, 29 won, 7 draw, 2 lost, 118 gs, 30 ag)
Coppa Italia: winner
Uefa Champions League: winner

For highlights, tactical board analysis, stats please watch my video here


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