For three years, Inter Milan stood as the most frightening force of Italian football and became a favorite every year.
Nerazzurri’s leadership was epic, securing his 20th Scudetto.
You will reach this and two Champions League finals. While dealing with unstable ownership changes.
From financially plagued Chinese investors to American investment fund Oaktree Capital. But as always, even the strongest teams have a humble way of doing things.
The ultimate defeat of the 5-0 Champions League against PSG and the heartbreaking loss of Scudetto by a single point to Napoli marked the end of the era.
More importantly, he wrote about the conclusions of Simone Inzagi’s extraordinary cycle as an Inter mastermind and tactician.
The end of the Simone Inzagi era
Inzagi’s departure to Saudi Arabia was secured for two years at US$50 million, making it the biggest contract in world football.
But it represents more than just administrative change. In fact, it’s the closure of the chapter that marked Inter at the pinnacle of global football.
The tactician, who changed the inters to an unstoppable machine that made the complex seem easy, moved forward and left a legacy and important leadership gap.
New Leadership and New Challenges
Under Oaktree Capital’s stewardship, Inter enters unknown territory, but has incredible financial momentum.
When the Chinese owner defaulted on the loan in May 2024, the club was valued at 1.2 billion euros. Just a year later, Inter’s valuation skyrocketed to around 1.7 billion euros.
This dramatic increase reflects an increase in financial performance under Oaktree’s management, and furthermore, shows that American investment funds will have an immediate impact on the club’s financial stability.
But economic success brings unique pressure. The American investment fund is inheriting the club that is currently in transition.
It was faced with the delicate task of injecting fresh energy into a team that has experienced both glory and intense disappointment while still remaining competitive.
The challenge is multifaceted: how do you rebuild without destroying the foundation? How do you motivate star players like Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram when the momentum of victory is interrupted?
These questions could define Intel’s current predicament.
Inter Milan is a familiar position among the Serie A and the European weak
Perhaps most importantly, Inter finds himself back in familiar territory as a loser, a team that no one expects to succeed.
With just six points from the opening four matches compared to Napoli’s perfect 12-point 4 victory start, Nerazzuri faces a difficult battle that reminds him of historic resilient characters.
This is not necessarily an unwelcome area for the Inter. Clubs often flourished when they were written off and were criticized by the media.
However, if expectations are low and pressure is redirected elsewhere.
The question now is whether this new situation for Inter can guide its underdog spirit without Inzagi’s tactical genius.
Inter Milan Serie A Title Charge – Financial Prudence Vs. Sports Ambition
The tension between Oaktree’s business insights and Inter’s sports needs is becoming increasingly apparent.
According to reports, Oaktree has set an expenditure cap of 25 million euros per signature, with wages capped below 2 million euros per season due to new arrivals.
This conservative approach directly addresses one of the biggest criticisms of the past year. It is the lack of investment in new acquisitions. As expressed by angry fans.
Oaktree injected US$52 million in capital into the club, but their philosophy represents a tough departure from the free spending era.
The US Fund has made it clear that there is “no crazy spending” and prioritizes financial sustainability over flashy signatures.
This restrained approach created friction within the club’s leadership.
Reports show that sports director Beppe Marotta must convince Oaktree to “loosen the strings of his wallet” for future transfer windows.
It further highlights the continued tension between sporting ambitions and American financial discipline.
Inter Milan can get Serie A: On Pitch Reality Check
The impact of conservative transfer strategies is manifested on the field.
The questions remain about the team’s performance and consistency despite the goals of Alessandro Bastoni, Marcus Thurlam’s braces, Lautaro Martinez and fresh start Anse Joan Bonnie starting the current Serie A campaign with a solid 5-0 victory over Turin.
The early format suggests that the team is still building their post-in-zagie identity.
The individual talents of stars like Lautaro and Salam continue to deliver epic results.
However, a significant lack of reinforcement can affect sustained competitiveness throughout the long season.
Recent tactical analysis reveals teams that have been caught between maintaining an established 3-5-2 system and adapting to new player constraints.
The departure of key players and limited alternatives will force Inter to rely heavily on “normal suspects,” which could lead to fatigue and predictability as the season progresses.
The road ahead
Inter transition period tests every aspect of the club’s structure.
New leadership must prove that you understand not only the business of soccer, but the true nature of it.
They must find ways to respect recent success while building sustainable for the future. Everything is within the constraints of voluntary spending restrictions.
For Lautaro and Thuram, this represents both challenges and opportunities. Can they step up as leaders in this new cycle? Can they help bridge the gap between past success and future ambitions?
What the future will happen for Inter Milan at Serie & Bead
Inter Milan is at a crossroads. The crazy successful days of Inzagi’s Empire are over.
Ownership is changing and teams are facing the harsh reality of starting over again while trying to stay competitive.
But if history tells us anything about Intel, it means they have the unique ability to stand up when they are least expected.
This transition period could define the next decade of the inter journey. It remains to be seen whether they will appear stronger or struggle to regain their magic.
What is certain is that the loyal Nerazzurri people see, hope, and believe, as they always do, that their team can surprise the world again.
A beautiful game is waiting for no one, and a new chapter in Inter Milan is beginning now.
By: Andrea Zanon
Andrea Zanon is the co-founder of Comfidede. He is an international advisor who has worked for financial institutions and entrepreneurs in sustainability, international affairs and development.
