Inter Milan’s Chaotic Battle: Sommer Stumbles on Debut, Bisseck Shares the Spotlight for the Wrong Reasons

In the pouring rain of Austria, Inter Milan’s Pazza Inter spirit was on full display as they edged out Red Bull Salzburg in a thrilling 4-3 preseason encounter. While the victory highlighted their attacking prowess and resilience, it also underscored glaring issues in defense and goalkeeping, with summer signings Yann Sommer and Yann Aurel Bisseck receiving the lowest ratings from media outlets.

Sommer’s Shaky Start

The match marked Sommer’s first appearance for Inter since his summer arrival, but it was a debut the Swiss goalkeeper will likely want to forget. Within the first ten minutes, he made two critical errors that could have easily cost his team.

In the 4th minute, Sommer’s misjudged rush off his line resulted in a penalty being awarded to Salzburg. Although the opposing player failed to convert the spot-kick, the early mistake set a concerning tone. Just five minutes later, another erratic decision saw Sommer come off his line only to be beaten, allowing Salzburg to score into an empty net.

Media ratings for Sommer ranged between 4.5 and 5, deeming his performance “a night to forget.” However, mitigating factors include the challenging conditions: heavy rain had left the pitch waterlogged, with the ball’s unpredictable trajectory complicating matters further. Additionally, Sommer had barely trained with his new teammates, leaving communication and coordination with Inter’s backline lacking.

Despite the criticism, Sommer remained upbeat. On social media, he expressed joy over his debut for the Nerazzurri. Head coach Simone Inzaghi also took a supportive stance, encouraging the veteran goalkeeper to focus on building chemistry with his defenders. With Serie A set to kick off in just ten days, Inter’s preseason schedule offers little room for adjustment, but Sommer’s early mistakes might serve as a necessary wake-up call for both the player and the coaching staff.

Bisseck: A Mixed Bag

Another summer signing, German defender Yann Aurel Bisseck, also endured a challenging evening. Inzaghi, keen to test his new recruit against a high-caliber opponent, introduced Bisseck alongside Juan Cuadrado and Davide Frattesi as the first batch of substitutes. The decision to bring him on early signaled Inzaghi’s belief in Bisseck’s potential, but the young defender’s performance proved to be a double-edged sword.

On the positive side, Bisseck demonstrated his physical prowess. He achieved a 100% success rate in aerial duels, won 75% of his physical battles, and twice drew fouls while shielding the ball under pressure. His defensive tenacity provided some relief to Inter’s backline, especially in high-pressure moments.

However, his limitations were equally evident. Bisseck’s passing accuracy left much to be desired; he completed only five of his 15 attempted passes, with all four of his long-ball attempts going astray. Admittedly, the rain-soaked pitch contributed to his struggles, but the mistakes exposed underlying concerns about his ability to handle quick transitions and recover when caught out of position.

The decisive moment came in the second half. After a midfield turnover by Cuadrado, Salzburg launched a direct attack. Bisseck’s slow turn and lack of pace allowed the opposing striker to gain a clear advantage. In a desperate attempt to recover, he clumsily fouled the player, conceding a penalty. Although Salzburg failed to convert, the incident highlighted recurring issues from Bisseck’s performances at the UEFA U21 European Championship earlier this summer.

Italian media were unforgiving, with La Gazzetta dello Sport awarding Bisseck the joint-lowest rating of the match. Analysts expressed concerns that his struggles could push him down Inzaghi’s depth chart, particularly with Inter’s management actively pursuing another versatile center-back before the transfer window closes.

Tactical Experiments and Leadership Decisions

Despite individual errors, Inter’s chaotic battle against Salzburg offered glimpses of tactical experimentation and evolving leadership dynamics. In attack, Inzaghi tested a counterattacking strategy involving midfielders making sudden forward runs while strikers dropped deep to pull defenders out of position. The approach yielded mixed results but showcased Inter’s intent to diversify their offensive arsenal.

Notably, with Lautaro Martínez unavailable, Nicolò Barella was handed the captain’s armband over more senior players like Stefan de Vrij. This decision highlighted Barella’s growing influence within the squad and reinforced his status as a leader on and off the pitch.

The Road Ahead

With just ten days until their Serie A opener, Inter still have much to fine-tune, both on and off the pitch. Sommer must quickly establish a rapport with his defenders, while Bisseck needs to adapt to the higher demands of Serie A, particularly against nimble forwards who thrive on exploiting defensive lapses.

Preseason matches like these serve as invaluable opportunities to identify and address weaknesses. While the chaotic nature of the Salzburg encounter raised concerns, it also provided lessons that Inter must heed as they prepare for the challenges ahead. Pazza Inter may have stolen the show, but the real test lies in turning their madness into mastery.