By Martin Graham
In early May, Inter Milan delivered a jaw-dropping performance in a 4-3 Champions League triumph over Barcelona. Davide Frattesi, who netted the decisive goal, could hardly catch his breath post-match and admitted he was overwhelmed by emotion. “This is football’s magic,” he eventually told reporters.
Frattesi played through an abdominal injury sustained the day before, crediting Inter’s medical staff for getting him fit. His captain, Lautaro Martinez, also battled through pain to feature. The game was filled with unlikely heroes, including veteran defender Francesco Acerbi, who unexpectedly scored a late goal to send the tie into extra time.
Frattesi, whose game-winner nearly caused him to faint from celebration, described his journey as one of perseverance rather than natural flair. “I was never the most talented,” he confessed, “but I never gave up.” His story mirrored the team’s spirit — not always the flashiest side, but deeply resilient and united.
That sense of unity made what followed all the more surprising.
Title slips away
After their sensational win over Barcelona, Inter kept the momentum going with a league victory against Torino on May 11, keeping hopes of back-to-back Serie A titles alive. The following week, their championship dreams looked even more realistic when Napoli dropped points in Parma.
Inter seemed destined to climb to the summit thanks to a late goal by Denzel Dumfries against Lazio. But deep into stoppage time, a disputed handball by Yann Bisseck gave Lazio a penalty, converted by Pedro for a dramatic 2-2 draw. That single moment effectively handed the title to Napoli.
In protest, the Inter squad refused all post-match media duties. Manager Simone Inzaghi had earlier been dismissed from the touchline for vehemently opposing the penalty decision. However, many within the club acknowledged that the missed opportunity was on them.
Stefan de Vrij admitted the team fell short. “You deserve to win only if you’re top after 38 games,” he told DAZN. Despite their disappointment, he emphasized the importance of focusing on their upcoming Champions League final.
A final to forget
Instead of redemption, the European final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 31 turned into a disaster. Just minutes into the game, Inter were already down two goals, with Achraf Hakimi and Desire Doue finding the net for PSG. Inter never recovered.
The final ended in a 5-0 drubbing, one of the worst nights in the club’s modern history. Defender Alessandro Bastoni described the match as “painful” and said it left a bitter feeling that would be difficult to process.
Only three days after the crushing loss, Inzaghi resigned to take the managerial job at Al-Hilal. Though financial challenges had long loomed over Inter, his decision to leave was met with frustration and disbelief.
The outrage grew when Al-Hilal disclosed that Inzaghi had agreed to the move before the final in Munich. The Italian media speculated that this might have impacted team morale. Reports even surfaced that he had attempted to convince Nicolo Barella and Bastoni to follow him to Saudi Arabia.
Coaching chaos and new beginnings
Caught off guard by Inzaghi’s unexpected departure, Inter’s management found themselves scrambling for a replacement. Cesc Fabregas was their first choice, having guided Como to a top-10 finish in their Serie A return. However, Como blocked his exit.
The club then turned to Christian Chivu, a former Inter defender who had just saved Parma from relegation. He took charge in time for the Club World Cup but found the going tough right from the start.
Inter stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Monterrey in their opening match and were on the brink of defeat against Urawa Red Diamonds before Lautaro Martinez salvaged a comeback with a late equalizer. They rebounded with a win over River Plate to top their group.
Despite the financial boost, Inter’s World Cup hopes ended in disappointment after a 2-0 defeat to Fluminense. The result not only knocked them out but also lifted the lid on internal tensions.
Leadership clashes and locker room fractures
Following the Fluminense defeat in Charlotte, Lautaro Martinez delivered a scathing assessment. After expressing remorse to the fans, he made a strong statement directed at his teammates. “Whoever wants to stay, stay. Whoever doesn’t, leave,” he told reporters.
Though he refused to identify anyone, the message was unmistakable. “I’ve seen things recently that I didn’t like,” said Lautaro, asserting his role as team captain.
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta later clarified that Lautaro’s remarks were likely aimed at Hakan Calhanoglu, who had been linked with a move to Galatasaray. Marotta supported Lautaro’s stance, stating that players lacking commitment should move on.
Still, the public nature of the feud caused significant unrest. Marcus Thuram, Lautaro’s strike partner, notably ‘liked’ Calhanoglu’s social media response to the criticism. Meanwhile, Italian football icons like Francesco Totti and Fabio Capello questioned the decision to air such grievances publicly instead of resolving them behind closed doors.
A club at the crossroads
After two months marked by missed chances, a heavy European defeat, a surprise coaching change, and a damaging internal dispute, Inter’s season ended in turmoil. What once looked like a fairytale campaign has become a cautionary tale.
In the space of weeks, the club has gone from scaling emotional peaks to grappling with internal division. The road ahead is uncertain — but as Frattesi said after that unforgettable night against Barcelona, this, too, is the unpredictable beauty of the game.
