Inter Milan Thanks Bayern! "Double A" Struggle While Three New Signings Shine, New Star's 0.3-Second Heroics

In the Basque Country, Inter Milan managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad. Despite struggling throughout the match, the result was deemed satisfactory. When the draw was first announced, it was considered a fair result, sparking discontent among many fans. It's not just the challenge of facing a high-intensity team like Real Sociedad, but also Inter's longstanding struggles against Spanish sides. Ignoring their recent record of 2 wins, 3 draws, and 10 losses in their last 15 matches against La Liga teams, the last time Inter took three points in a European match on Iberian soil was in 2004—a time when the Chinese Super League was still known as Jia-A League. For younger fans, it's an experience they've never witnessed.

The fact that Inter didn't win prompted criticism from various quarters. Italian media gave several Inter players extremely low ratings, with scores ranging from 4 to 4.5. Besides the error-prone Bastoni, "Double A"—Asllani and Arnautović—received the most criticism. After the match, Simone Inzaghi acknowledged that many Inter players, including himself, performed poorly in the first half. However, this did not stop the media's harsh critique. Some outlets even started polls questioning whether Asllani should be given more opportunities, highlighting the difficulties young players face at Inter.

Yet, the reaction seems overly harsh, almost as if Inter had lost 1-5 instead of drawing. Given Inter's historical difficulties against Spanish teams, a point away against Real Sociedad is commendable. Moreover, Inter did have some bright spots, particularly with the performances of three new signings.

Alexis Sánchez's Debut

One of the notable performances was from Alexis Sánchez, who made his season debut in the 69th minute. In just over 20 minutes, Sánchez had 26 touches, won 2 out of 3 ground duels, made 1 tackle, and provided 2 key passes, revitalizing Inter's attack. Had they capitalized on their late chances, Inter could have taken all three points. This performance mirrored Real Madrid's strategy in a past match against Inter, where they secured a win with a similar approach.

Benjamin Pavard's Solid Display

Benjamin Pavard's debut was equally impressive. With 3 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 clearances, and winning 8 out of 9 aerial duels, Pavard showcased his robust defensive capabilities. His stable presence justified Tuchel's reluctance to let him leave Bayern Munich. Despite this being his first match for Inter, his performance indicated that he is likely to secure a starting position, which could allow Darmian to reduce his workload and provide depth and security across multiple positions.

Yann Sommer's Spectacular Saves

However, the standout performance came from Yann Sommer. Despite achieving three clean sheets in the first four Serie A matches, Sommer had yet to make a decisive impact. In Serie A, he only had 7 saves in 4 matches, ranking 15th in save counts. But in the Champions League, Sommer made an extraordinary save in 0.3 seconds, demonstrating why Bayern Munich was reluctant to let him go. After the match, Simone Inzaghi, who typically avoids discussing individual performances post-match, couldn't help but praise Sommer's heroics.

Reflecting on Inter's Position

Following Inter's 5-1 victory in the derby, some fans believed that taking a point against Real Sociedad was sufficient. In the group stage, securing 10-12 points should be considered a success. However, there were also voices arguing that Inter, given their financial struggles, should aim for more wins to earn substantial prize money. Others believed that Inter's current strength could even stand up to the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

But Pavard and Sommer's performances should prompt a reassessment of Inter's current standing in European football. These players, who were not mainstays at Bayern, have proven to be stronger than many of their counterparts in Serie A, suggesting that Inter cannot afford to be complacent. It's a reminder that while Inter may dominate domestically, the Champions League presents a different level of competition.

Moving Forward

Inter's challenging schedule, with seven matches in 21 days, has only just begun. The draw against Real Sociedad, while not a victory, serves as a valuable reality check. It highlights the need for Inter to remain humble and prepared for the challenges ahead. Overconfidence could lead to unnecessary pitfalls.

In conclusion, while the draw against Real Sociedad might seem disappointing to some, it provided several positives, particularly the promising performances of new signings like Sánchez, Pavard, and Sommer. These players have shown that they can make significant contributions, and their integration into the team will be crucial for Inter's success in both domestic and European competitions. As Inter navigates the remainder of their group stage matches, maintaining a balanced perspective will be key to their progress.