From Last-Minute Heroes to Late-Game Victims: Is Inter Milan’s Squad to Blame?

Inter Milan’s 3-2 victory over Udinese left fans both elated and concerned, as it highlighted an emerging issue that has plagued the team this season — conceding late goals. Once revered as the kings of “last-minute wins,” Inter have now become victims of late-game heartbreak. This shift has prompted widespread scrutiny, with Italian pundits and fans alike debating the causes of Inter’s vulnerability in the final moments of matches. Is the blame being unfairly directed at certain players? Or is the problem rooted in deeper, structural issues?

Inter Milan: From Last-Minute Glory to Last-Minute Misery

In modern football, goals scored in the dying moments of a match are often described as "last-minute killers," even if they don’t directly result in three points. For years, Inter Milan were masters of this phenomenon. Last season, Inter led Serie A in goals scored after the 75th minute, earning the nickname "last-minute kings." They also had the best record for avoiding late-game goals, conceding just three goals in the final 15 minutes across the entire league campaign. Inter's ability to finish games strong made them a formidable opponent, one that rival teams feared as the match wore on.

However, this season has seen a stark reversal of fortunes for the Nerazzurri. Instead of being the ones to deliver the knockout punch, Inter have frequently found themselves on the receiving end of late-game goals. To date, they have conceded four goals after the 80th minute, which represents a staggering 57.1% of their total goals conceded this season. It’s a sharp contrast to last year when they conceded just three goals during the same period across the entire season.

The specific incidents paint a worrying picture:

• Against Genoa, Inter were pegged back in the 95th minute by a stoppage-time equalizer from Junior Messias, costing them two vital points.
• In their clash with Monza, Inter narrowly avoided defeat after conceding an 81st-minute goal from Dany Mota.
• The Milan derby saw Inter suffer a heartbreaking 89th-minute winner from Matteo Gabbia.
• Most recently, against Udinese, Luka scored in the 83rd minute, nearly undoing Inter's hard work before they hung on for a 3-2 victory.

This trend raises serious concerns for head coach Simone Inzaghi and his coaching staff. Why has a team that once prided itself on finishing strong become so vulnerable in the closing stages of matches? Two main theories have emerged to explain this troubling shift.

Fatigue and Aging: Is Inter Running Out of Gas?

One of the most commonly cited reasons for Inter’s late-game struggles is the physical condition of the squad. Many believe that the team’s overall fitness levels have declined compared to last season, leading to a drop in performance as matches wear on. Inter’s preseason training regime was adjusted this summer, with changes to the intensity and structure of their sessions. These alterations, combined with the fact that Inter’s squad is one of the oldest in Serie A, have led to concerns about the players' stamina and ability to endure the rigors of a full season.

The impact of these changes has been evident in the number of injuries that have plagued the squad since the start of the campaign. Several key players have missed matches due to various knocks and strains, and those who have managed to stay fit often appear sluggish in the latter stages of games. This lack of endurance has resulted in Inter’s defensive shape breaking down late in matches, allowing opponents to capitalize on tired legs.

Substitutions and Squad Depth: Are the Replacements Good Enough?

Another theory centers around Inzaghi’s use of substitutions and the overall quality of Inter’s bench players. Late-game goals have typically occurred after Inzaghi has made three or four substitutions, often using up all five allotted changes. This has led some to question whether Inter’s backups are good enough to maintain the team’s defensive solidity when the starting eleven is rotated.

Critics have pointed to a glaring disparity in quality between Inter’s starting lineup and the substitutes who come on late in games. A recent analysis by Italian pundits ranked the impact of Inter’s players on the team’s defensive performance, using "goals conceded while on the field" as a key metric. According to this analysis, several players have had a disproportionately negative effect on the team's defensive resilience when they are on the pitch.

The top six players with the worst defensive impact (excluding those with minimal minutes) were as follows:

1. Denzel Dumfries – In 157 minutes of play, Inter conceded three goals.
2. Davide Frattesi – In 267 minutes, Inter conceded five goals.
3. Stefan de Vrij – In 106 minutes, Inter conceded two goals.
4. Yann Bisseck – In 254 minutes, Inter conceded four goals.
5. Zielinski – In 123 minutes, Inter conceded two goals.
6. Carlos Augusto – In 280 minutes, Inter conceded four goals.

Among these players, Dumfries and Frattesi have come under particularly intense scrutiny. Dumfries, despite his attacking contributions, has been criticized for his lapses in concentration and positioning when defending against counterattacks. Frattesi, while effective going forward, has been associated with a lack of defensive discipline, which has coincided with some of Inter’s most vulnerable moments in matches.

Carlos Augusto, who often comes on as a substitute to shore up the defense, has also drawn criticism. Despite being a versatile option capable of playing as both a wing-back and a center-back, Augusto’s presence on the field has coincided with several late-game collapses. Yet, in fairness, Augusto has also been used in a variety of emergency roles, often being called upon in difficult situations where Inter are already under pressure. In his one start against Monza, Augusto was one of the best players on the pitch, earning high praise for his performance.

Unfair Criticism? A Closer Look at the “Disaster” Players

While it’s easy to point fingers at players like Dumfries, Frattesi, and Augusto, the narrative that they are solely responsible for Inter’s late-game woes may be an oversimplification. Many of these players contribute significantly to Inter’s attack when they come on as substitutes. Dumfries, for example, offers a dynamic threat down the right flank, often pushing forward to provide crosses and create scoring opportunities. Frattesi, despite his defensive shortcomings, has chipped in with goals and assists during his limited minutes on the field.

In some cases, these substitutions are made with the intention of increasing Inter’s attacking output, which can naturally leave the team more exposed defensively. When players like Dumfries and Bisseck come on, they are often asked to push forward and take risks, which can lead to defensive gaps. This trade-off between attack and defense is a tactical decision, one that doesn’t necessarily mean these players are “disasters” in a traditional sense.

Moreover, some of the players under fire are not regular starters and have been called upon in moments of necessity rather than choice. Augusto, for instance, has frequently been used in emergency situations where Inzaghi has no other options. In these scenarios, it’s unfair to lay the blame solely at his feet, especially considering his standout performance when given a full 90 minutes against Monza.

Can Inter Turn Things Around?

There’s no denying that Inter Milan’s shift from last-minute kings to last-minute victims is a concerning trend. Whether it’s due to fatigue, tactical decisions, or individual player performances, the issue of conceding late goals must be addressed if Inter hope to compete for silverware this season. While players like Dumfries, Frattesi, and Augusto have come under fire, the problem is likely more complex than simply blaming a handful of individuals.

Simone Inzaghi and his coaching staff will need to take a holistic approach to solving this issue, possibly by improving the team’s fitness levels, managing substitutions more carefully, and reinforcing the defense in the closing stages of matches. Whether Inter can recapture the last-minute magic that defined them last season remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: they can no longer afford to be complacent in the final moments of games.