Where do Inter go from a disappointing end to the 2024/25 season? | OneFootball

In the end, while it was massive for Inter to have made the Champions League final, the truth is that they got humiliated on the big stage. In a season that looked like it could end with a treble just a month ago, the Nerrazzuri have managed to go trophyless. The question is – where do Inter go from here?The thing is, there’s no one to quite attribute the blame to. In Simone Inzaghi, they have the best possible manager they could have. The squad, given Inter’s financial limitations, have played to their limit for most of the season. The transfer business has been astute. But perhaps a change is the need of the hour. Inter have been absolutely brilliant over these last few years but the feeling that a cycle has ended is hard to ignore this morning. Inzaghi is linked to a move to Al Hilal and said he will soon sit down to decide his future. Although an upgrade is simply not there in the market, a change of manager often refreshes a squad, like what has happened to Barcelona under Hansi Flick. Now let’s come to the squad. Inter’s squad is full of utility players being used to the best of their ability by Inzaghi. They fit the system perfectly but perhaps they can be upgraded on. Financially can Inter afford world beaters? It doesn’t seem likely. The priority at the very least however should be to lower the average age of the squad and increase the physical ceiling. A good start will be to look at bargains in Germany, Spain, France or even in comparatively weaker leagues like Netherlands or Portugal. The final thing that Inter should consider is diversifying their squad, and installing a Plan B, even if Inzaghi stays. Managers who prefer a 3-at-the-back system and have success with it, like the Italian, often lack an alternative, sometimes because their squads are built to play to the strengths of the system. It was quite telling that Inter brought on 4 defenders and a deeper midfielder off the bench in the final, as PSG’s wingers ran riot. Inter did not have a winger or a profile who could carry the ball 50 yards up the pitch, beating a couple of men and displaying some innovation like Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia did all night. Inter could well continue their good run as it is, but to go the next level, it does feel like something needs to change.

Kaulik Mitra l GIFN