A new year, the same ambitions
After winning the Scudetto in the 2023/24 season, Inter presented themselves at the starting line of the 2024/25 season with a clear objective: to confirm themselves as the dominant force in Italian football and finally take that definitive step towards European glory. The team led by Simone Inzaghi has maintained the same tactical system, intelligently strengthening itself in the summer on the market and continuing to focus on a recognisable, fluid and organised game. In an increasingly unstable football, Inter has chosen the path of continuity: and the results, once again, are proving them right.
A Champions League protagonist
Inter’s European journey has been almost impeccable so far. The Nerazzurri have overcome the first phase of the Champions League with ease, beating important opponents with personality and solidity. In the round of 16 they beat Feyenoord, while in the quarterfinals they showed great maturity against Bayern Munich: 4-3 the overall result, with the team capable of suffering, reacting and striking at the right moments. Now, in the semifinals, Inter is preparing to face Barcelona in a double challenge that feels like a great European classic.
Numbers in hand, the defensive phase was an absolute strong point: only 5 goals conceded in the entire European campaign, with 8 clean sheets. Yann Sommer confirmed himself as a very reliable goalkeeper, while the defensive line (Bastoni, Acerbi, Pavard) was able to offer security and compactness. But even up front, Inter was able to have its say, alternating lethal counterattacks with long moments of reasoned ball possession.
Sudden slowdown, but not all is lost
If Europe smiled on the Nerazzurri, the championship has recently shown the most complicated side of the season. After dominating for months, Inter had a nightmare April: three consecutive defeats against Bologna, Milan and Roma, all without scoring a single goal. A sensational statistic, which reopened a race for the title that seemed already over, with Napoli now three points ahead with four games to go.
This decline is not the result of chance: the team appeared tired, with some key players out of shape or injured. The squad, however deep, suffered from the double commitment and a very busy schedule. Furthermore, the defeat in the derby in the Coppa Italia semi-final added a non-trivial emotional wound, extinguishing the dream of the Treble.
A golden couple, but not only
Inter’s attack continues to revolve around one of the most effective pairs in Europe: Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. The Argentine has reached the milestone of 150 goals in the Nerazzurri shirt and remains the technical and symbolic leader of the team.
Thuram, on the other hand, is the real surprise: 17 goals and 5 assists this season, a consistency that few expected. His explosiveness, ability to sew together the game and his instinct for goal have made him irreplaceable. However, his recent injury has slowed down the Nerazzurri attack, highlighting how fundamental he has become.
But Inter does not live only on attackers: goals have also come from Calhanoglu (a metronome with goals and assists), Barella (tireless and creative) and from defenders like Pavard and Bastoni, often decisive on set pieces.
Nerazzurri heart and brain
If Inter have constantly maintained control of the game, the credit goes above all to the midfield. Hakan Calhanoglu, reinvented as a playmaker by Inzaghi, as we know has found a second life in that position: precise in his passes (average of 89.5%), fearsome on set pieces and extraordinarily lucid in managing the pace. At his side, Barella continues to be the driving force of the team, always ready to increase the pressure, to insert himself, to provide quality and pace.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, although no longer very young, has guaranteed intelligence and balance, while Frattesi has added muscle, goals and depth to the maneuver. The department, as a whole, is among the most complete and functional in Europe.
Inzaghi’s hand
Simone Inzaghi is, in his own right, one of the best coaches in Europe. Having arrived on tiptoe in 2021, he has been able to collect Conte’s heavy legacy and transform Inter into a solid, modern and ambitious team. No longer a simple defensive war machine, but a team capable of alternating styles and also dominating in terms of play.
His greatest merit? Having created a system where no one is indispensable but everyone is important. The intelligent rotations, the valorization (from Carlos Augusto to Bisseck) the mental management of the group: everything speaks of the growth of a coach who has reached full maturity.
Coppa Italia, a missed opportunity but…
The elimination in the semifinals against Milan in the Coppa Italia hurt. A derby that was always felt, lost due to episodes, which took away from Inter the possibility of chasing the Treble. But beyond the regret, this exit could prove to be strategic: with fewer commitments, the Nerazzurri will be able to concentrate their forces on the league and the Champions League, avoiding forced rotations and arriving fresher to the decisive challenges.
Barcelona, you have been warned.
The Inter project does not seem destined to end any time soon. The club has confirmed management stability, the squad is still young in many departments and Inzaghi has laid the foundations for a winning cycle. The summer market will be important to shore up some roles, but the backbone is already top level. The dream is to become a regular presence among the best four in Europe: and the 2025 Champions League semi-finals could be an ideal springboard. So eyes are focused on the double challenge against the Blaugrana.
For glory!
The 2024/25 season is not over yet, but it has already said a lot. Inter has been able to confirm its strength in Italy and finally show itself to be mature in Europe. If trophies arrive, we can talk about one of the most important seasons in the club’s recent history. But even if not, the work done will remain as a solid base for the future.
Inter absolutely cannot be considered an “underdog”, not even in Europe, it is no longer acceptable. Inter is great again. And it has no intention of stopping.