Frank de Boer is the first full-time Dutch tactician in Serie A, so Mina Rzouki analyses how his style will work at Inter.

Technical beauty versus tactical intelligence: herein lies the difference between Dutch and Italian football. Tacticians from both countries have found success when exporting their ideals to different nations, especially when working in England or Spain, yet Frank De Boer represents the first permanent Dutch Coach in charge of an Italian club. Clarence Seedorf may have taken over the reins at Milan midway through the 2013-14 campaign, but the journey was short lived and a temporary solution in troubling times.

Can a Dutchman win in a league that values tactical strategies above technical qualities? Louis van Gaal would probably suffer, but De Boer just might impress. In comparison to his compatriots, the new Inter Coach is the most “Italian” when it comes to implementing a strategy.

Pragmatism is a word often used to describe Italian football and De Boer is nothing if not pragmatic. Valuing a tough defence, the former Ajax boss prefers a game that revolves around balance, speed and possession. His squad must press high up the pitch, recover the ball quickly and attack with pace. Each movement rehearsed and each detail studied, every single player on the pitch understands what he must provide with or without the ball.

Much like the teachings of Antonio Conte and other famed Italian tacticians, the collective is of the utmost importance. There isn’t a reliance on technical skill, but dependence on teamwork and on players willing to sacrifice and cover for one another.

However, unlike the likes of Conte, De Boer does not look to mask the deficiencies of the side by playing an exhaustive style of football as a collective unit. The Dutchman requires intelligence within the side for his plans to truly come to fruition.

Often we see Italian tacticians scream out instructions from the side-lines, micromanaging their players to ensure success. De Boer prefers to place his trust in the players. Much like Massimiliano Allegri, he lays out his tactics prior to the game, but relies upon the players to overcome their own individual obstacles on the pitch. This allows the squad to evolve and progress and instils them with the confidence required to defeat intimidating opponents.

Should his players understand the movements required, De Boer’s plan can prove hugely successful, but the slightest misunderstandings can result in defensive chaos. So the question is: Do Inter possess the intelligence to play the Dutchman’s style of football?

Last season the Nerazzurri relied upon physical strength and a destructive style of football to overcome their opponents. Efficiency up front was vastly important due to the absence of creative flair. While De Boer hopes to maintain a physical approach in midfield, ensuring his men protect the backline, he also needs his players to maintain possession to fully execute his ideals. There will need to be changes and players will have greater responsibility on the field, suggesting potential problems.

However, the fact Ajax won four consecutive titles despite losing key players every summer suggest the Dutchman’s ideals are easy to comprehend and learn. Combine that with the disciplined and organised manner in which the Nerazzurri defeated Celtic in the International Champions Cup on his debut and the fans can hope for a more intelligent and balanced style of football than what was produced under Roberto Mancini.

Consider also that De Boer achieved such remarkable success at an Ajax club suffering from great divides. Inter can hope their new Coach knows how to block out the potential problems caused by a change of ownership to focus his players’ attention on the football and the glory that must be attained.

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow