Inter Milan`s season culminated in a brutal 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final, a defeat so comprehensive it all but seals manager Simone Inzaghi`s fate. Whispers of his departure were already circulating, but the manner of this surrender – conceding five goals and appearing resigned from kickoff – makes a split increasingly probable. Should Inzaghi leave, potentially for Saudi club Al-Hilal with whom he`s reportedly in talks for a lucrative deal, it would mark a low point in his time with the Nerazzurri. Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport didn`t mince words, rating his final performance a dismal 3 out of 10 and criticizing his tactical understanding and substitution choices.
Inter`s showing in the final bore little resemblance to the side that impressed in earlier rounds against formidable opponents like Bayern Munich and Barcelona. From motivation to tactical execution, they were completely outplayed by Luis Enrique`s side. While PSG dominated the first half, the second offered no respite, compounded by Inzaghi`s perplexing substitutions which seemed to betray a sense of confusion on the touchline, a stark contrast to Enrique`s masterful display.
Among the questionable changes were replacing Federico Dimarco with Nicola Zalewski and Benjamin Pavard with Yann Bisseck (who himself was quickly substituted due to injury for Matteo Darmian). Most notably, key midfielders Davide Frattesi and Piotr Zielinski, along with strikers Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi, remained unused substitutes. The decision not to utilize Frattesi, a player who had scored crucial goals in previous rounds, was particularly symbolic of the tactical errors on the night. Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest Frattesi confronted Inzaghi post-match, feeling his season contributions were disrespected.
Inzaghi`s tenure at Inter was built on fostering a strong team spirit. If this foundation is now crumbling, it`s a major concern for the club. Inzaghi himself offered little clarity on his future after the final, stating he would meet with the club soon. Despite Inter President Giuseppe Marotta`s assertion that one game wouldn`t alter the overall assessment, discussions are anticipated, and extending Inzaghi`s four-year stay appears highly unlikely given the circumstances. He would depart having won domestic cups, but without a league title or the coveted European trophy this season.
A key criticism of Inter`s season strategy is the apparent prioritization of the Champions League over Serie A, which they ultimately lost to Napoli. This gamble proved costly, leaving the team trophy-less. The intense focus on Europe, perhaps driven by the desire for older key players to win the tournament before their careers wind down, failed to translate into the necessary performance in the final.
The focus now shifts to a potential “revolution” at Inter, owned by Oaktree. The club aims to rejuvenate the squad with younger talent and has already secured players like Luis Henrique and Petar Sucic. However, the most critical decisions revolve around the managerial position. If Inzaghi leaves, Inter will seek a new coach to initiate a fresh cycle and redefine the team`s identity, a task that follows on from Antonio Conte`s successful spell. After such a profound disappointment, significant changes are not merely expected but are arguably essential and well-deserved.
