Leadership Struggles At Inter Milan As Argentina & Turkey Stars Form Dip Causes Turbulence | OneFootball

Inter Milan are grappling with leadership issues as key figures Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu struggle to find form.

Following defeats against Atletico Madrid and AC Milan, concerns over the Nerazzurri’s reliance on their stars have intensified.

“Reducing everything to bad luck while taking credit and avoiding blame would be Chivu’s biggest mistake,” writes Il Giornale, via FCInter1908.

The Argentine and Turkish internationals, normally the team’s leaders, were among the worst performers in both matches.

Coach Cristian Chivu was forced to substitute them after players like Yann Bisseck and Piotr Zielinski had outperformed them on the pitch.

Lautaro And Calhanoglu Dip In Form Has Huge Effect On Inter Milan

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 30: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between FC Internazionale Milano and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio San Siro on September 30, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

On Lautaro’s reaction, the newspaper adds. “He reacted poorly to being substituted. But the real problem is that the coach had to take him off at the moment he was most needed. Against Milan and Atletico, he played badly, transmitted nervousness, and ended up being more harmful than helpful.”

The Argentine has scored eight goals between Serie A and the Champions League so far this season.

However, Lautaro’s on-field temperament is under scrutiny.

For Calhanoglu, the dip in form has mirrored that of Lautaro, exposing vulnerabilities in the Nerazzurri’s midfield leadership.

Both players’ performances highlight the delicate balance Chivu must manage between respecting hierarchy and responding to real-time form on the pitch.