Former Inter boss Mircea Lucescu has questioned Frank de Boer's tactics following the Nerazzurri's opening-day defeat at Chievo.
De Boer was appointed Inter boss on August 9 having left Ajax in May and has attempted to implement his 3-5-2 formation straight away.
The early signs were not promising, however, as his new team looked disjointed in Sunday's 2-0 loss in Verona, which came courtesy of Valter Birsa's second-half double.
Zenit boss Lucescu, who spent a short spell at Inter during the 1998/99 season, feels the Dutchman's tactics should not be predetermined and instead dependent on the players he has available.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "A coach should not join a team with a formation already in his mind. Rather he should adapt to the quality of the players he finds, and choose the right tactical set-up.
"A knowledge of the championship is also extremely important, particularly in Italy, where things are difficult.
"De Boer is a football man with an international resume that speaks for itself. If the team helps him, he can help himself.
"With a young team it's easier, the kids follow you. The problems arise with those of a certain age. They have more experience and ideas and, if they are different, they could embarrass a new coach."
The 71-year-old Romanian added: "Coaches always try to bring players they know when they join a new club, those who already worked with them or understand their style.
"[Pep] Guardiola does it all the time, and so does [Jose] Mourinho, who has signed [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic for Manchester United."
