Facing the Dark Horse: Inter Milan's Starting Lineup Dilemma and the Transformation of Two Aging Forwards

Inter Milan's journey through the current season has been a roller coaster, marked by significant challenges and unexpected transformations. One of the most debated topics among fans and pundits has been the team's biggest weakness: the backup forwards. In the first half of the season, the overwhelming consensus was that the backup striker positions were Inter’s Achilles' heel. The formidable duo of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez formed a reliable frontline, but the underwhelming performances of backup forwards Marko Arnautović and Alexis Sánchez sparked widespread concern.

This issue led to persistent rumors and discussions in the media about Inter's search for additional firepower up front. Despite having already secured Mehdi Taremi on a free transfer, Inter were linked with numerous other forwards, including Joshua Zirkzee, Mateo Retegui, and Seba Esposito. The prevailing belief was that the team would continue to suffer as long as the aging backup forwards remained.

The Resurgence of Alexis Sánchez

However, a recent article in "La Gazzetta dello Sport" titled "Sánchez Reborn as Maravilla" has sparked a reevaluation of these assessments. The piece praised Sánchez, Inter’s fourth-choice forward, highlighting his recent contributions and suggesting that the scrutiny of Inter's backup strikers might need to be reconsidered.

Ahead of their weekend clash with Bologna, Inter are expected to rotate their squad, with players like Bisseck and Augusto set to start, while key players such as Lautaro and Pavard are likely to rest. Given the five-substitution rule, it is anticipated that most of Inter's core players will either not start or will be substituted early for some rest. Atlético Madrid, Inter's upcoming Champions League opponent, is also preparing intensely. Simeone's comments about Griezmann's injury were seen by Italian media as a smokescreen, with the belief that it is more about rotation than an actual injury.

Some fans were puzzled by Inter not fielding a completely different lineup, but journalists close to the team noted that Simone Inzaghi's strategy has always been "layered rotation." This means rotating 3-4 players per game instead of resting 8-9 players all at once. This approach aims to avoid a demoralizing defeat before the crucial match against Atlético Madrid, maintaining the team's winning momentum.

The Tactical Dilemma

As Inter prepares to face Bologna, a significant question remains: who will partner with Thuram in the starting lineup? According to "La Gazzetta dello Sport," Arnautović seems slightly more likely to start. However, Sky Italia’s reporters observed that in the final training session, it was Sánchez who partnered with Thuram. Conventionally, Arnautović, being the third-choice forward, would be ahead of Sánchez in the pecking order. Yet, with Sánchez’s recent form, there is a case for playing whoever is in better shape.

In the first half of the season, the contributions of Arnautović and Sánchez were indeed limited. But in the past three months, the backup forwards have begun to make a more consistent impact. Arnautović has scored crucial goals against Genoa, Salernitana, and Atlético Madrid, and provided assists in matches against Lecce and Roma. Particularly noteworthy was his performance in mid-February when he contributed to goals in three consecutive matches, pleasing coach Inzaghi.

Arnautović's season stats show that he has scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists in 875 minutes across all competitions, averaging 0.74 goal contributions per 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Sánchez, who struggled to make an impact in Serie A in the first half of the season despite scoring in the Champions League against Salzburg and Benfica, also found his form in late February. He provided assists against Lecce and Atalanta and had a goal and assist against Genoa.

Sánchez’s season stats include 3 goals and 3 assists in 731 minutes across all competitions, also averaging 0.74 goal contributions per 90 minutes. These figures, while not as impressive as Lautaro's (0.97 goals per 90 minutes), are comparable to Thuram's (0.71 goals per 90 minutes). Although these two veterans' performances might not have silenced all critics, they have certainly contributed to Inter's winning streak and cannot be dismissed as useless.

A Changing Landscape

From the perspectives of age, role, and potential resale value, there are valid concerns about the capabilities of Inter's backup forwards. Marotta and the management had already secured Taremi in hopes of upgrading this perceived weakness. However, by the end of the winter transfer window, Inter's management faced some controversy for not making moves to strengthen the forward line. This decision was not solely due to financial constraints but also because Marotta and Ausilio expressed confidence in the performances of Arnautović and Sánchez throughout the season. They believed that within the season's constraints, there were no better backup forward options available.

When the winter window closed and Thuram got injured, Arnautović stepped up, scoring in consecutive matches in mid-February, followed by Sánchez in late February to early March. The duo’s contributions during these critical periods proved the management's faith in them was justified.

For Inter, securing their second star is considered the "floor" of their achievements this season, while advancing further in the Champions League is the "ceiling." The contributions of the backup forwards in maintaining this "floor" should be acknowledged. As for pushing towards the "ceiling," whether they can provide the necessary support remains to be seen. Their contributions in this regard might range from reducing the burden on the starting forwards in the league to scoring crucial points during the title race. At the high end, they could make memorable contributions in the limited playing time available during major Champions League matches.

Final Thoughts

As Inter Milan approaches their clash with Bologna and the more crucial Champions League match against Atlético Madrid, the roles of their backup forwards remain under scrutiny. While the earlier part of the season highlighted their limitations, recent performances suggest a shift in their impact. Both Arnautović and Sánchez have shown they can rise to the occasion, providing valuable contributions that might yet prove decisive in Inter’s pursuit of glory on multiple fronts. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if these veteran forwards can continue to defy expectations and play pivotal roles in the season's defining moments.