Inter Milan Faces Final Uncertainty in Champions League Registration as Fans Gather to Express Transfer Disappointment but Show Understanding

As Inter Milan gears up for the new Serie A season, the club faces two pressing issues that have generated considerable discussion among fans and the media. The first is the finalization of the Champions League squad registration, which is nearing completion but still holds one key variable. The second concerns the recent gathering of fans outside the Inter Milan training ground at Appiano Gentile, where they expressed dissatisfaction with the club's transfer activity, though they also showed understanding of the challenges faced by the club’s management.

Champions League Squad Registration: One Spot Remains Uncertain

Inter Milan’s Champions League squad registration for the new season is almost complete, with most spots already filled. However, one question mark remains—centered around a specific player, whom we’ll refer to as "Mr. X." In a press conference before Inter’s first Serie A match, head coach Simone Inzaghi addressed the issue: "Will we keep five forwards and leave one out of the Champions League squad? Absolutely possible. If we don’t sign another defender, all five forwards will be on the list. But if we do bring in a new defender, we’ll have to make a choice, just like last year."

In the previous Champions League season, Inter’s A-list squad included three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and four forwards. Due to a lack of "club-trained" players, the squad was limited to 23 effective registrations. For the upcoming season, the departures of players like Juan Cuadrado (who was replaced midseason by Tajon Buchanan last year), Davy Klaassen, Alexis Sánchez, and Emil Audero opened up four spots. Of these, three have already been filled by new signings Mehdi Taremi, Piotr Zielinski, and goalkeeper Joséph Martinez. The final spot will either go to a new defender if one is signed or to Joaquín Correa, who would take on a role similar to Stefano Sensi’s from last season.

Considering that Buchanan is unlikely to return until late October or November due to injury, he will probably miss the first half of the Champions League group stage. Fortunately, UEFA’s squad regulations allow for adjustments in January, providing Inter with the flexibility to include him later in the season.

Another potential variable is whether UEFA will increase the total number of registered players allowed after the transfer window closes—a decision that is still pending official confirmation.

In the past day, notable transfer market insiders like Gianluca Di Marzio, Fabrizio Romano, and Matteo Guarro have reported that Inter Milan is actively pursuing Argentine defender Palacios. This young defender is known for his strength and speed and is seen as having significant potential for growth. However, the complexity of his ownership situation, involving a loan with an option to purchase half of his rights, has caused delays. Inter must wait for the two involved clubs to finalize their agreement before proceeding, meaning the deal might take some time to materialize.

Fan Protest at Appiano Gentile: Disappointment Without Despair

The second major topic of discussion is the recent gathering of Inter fans outside the club’s training ground at Appiano Gentile. This small protest, covered by outlets like Inter1908, was framed under the headline "Inzaghi Ready to Prove Critics Wrong as Fans Protest Lack of Transfers." Some fans expressed their displeasure with the club's lack of activity in strengthening the forward line, but the overall mood was one of cautious optimism rather than outright anger.

Indeed, the protest was relatively small, with around a hundred fans braving the summer heat to gather outside the training ground. The intensity of the protest was low, and despite their concerns, most fans still voiced strong support for the team, as well as for key figures like CEO Giuseppe Marotta, sporting director Piero Ausilio, and head coach Simone Inzaghi.

This subdued reaction can be understood in the context of the broader transfer market. While Juventus, AC Milan, Roma, and Napoli have all made significant acquisitions this summer, Inter’s moves have been more modest. After signing a backup goalkeeper, the club largely refrained from making further high-profile transfers. However, Inter fans, while disappointed, seem to appreciate the efforts made to retain nearly all of the team’s key players from last season, a task that required significant financial sacrifices.

According to Transfermarkt, Inter Milan has 14 players earning more than €2.8 million per year, the highest in Serie A. For comparison, AC Milan has 11 such players, Juventus has 9, Roma has 8, and Napoli has only 4. The decision to renew Lautaro Martínez’s contract also broke the club’s previous wage structure, pushing the ceiling (including taxes) to the highest level since the Moratti era.

In previous years, protests by the Curva Nord ultras were more intense, often triggered by the sale of beloved core players rather than a lack of incoming transfers. This year, while the absence of marquee signings has led to some disappointment, the lack of significant departures has kept the frustration in check.

Furthermore, the fans have expressed their appreciation for the hard work and commitment shown by key figures at the club. Marotta, for example, receives applause whenever he appears before fans, while Lautaro Martínez has earned admiration for cutting short his vacation to return to training early. Inzaghi, who often spends nights at the training ground rather than returning home, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, known for being one of the earliest players to arrive at training, have also garnered praise.

As the new Serie A season kicks off, the focus for Inter fans is now shifting back to the pitch. Despite the frustrations surrounding the transfer window, there is a strong sense of unity and optimism among the supporters. The understanding shown by the fans towards the club's management, coupled with their continued belief in the team, suggests that while this season may have started with some uncertainty, the bond between the club and its supporters remains as strong as ever.

As we await the finalization of the Champions League squad and the possible signing of Palacios, the message from the fans is clear: while there are concerns, they trust in the club’s leadership and are ready to stand behind the team as they embark on another challenging season.