Inter Milan's Rising Star Faces Serie A Test: Coach's Two Key Directives and Three Strengths to Prove

As Juventus triumphs over Napoli, Inter Milan finds itself once again under immense pressure. Coach Simone Inzaghi aptly describes the life of a football manager: "It’s a profession where you are judged by the public every few days." Although the Nerazzurri have had a solid season so far, it's evident that failing to win tonight and allowing Juventus to secure the top spot would drastically shift the narrative. Pre-match predictions about the starting lineup vary among media outlets, with uncertainties surrounding the inclusion of Juan Cuadrado and Alessandro Bastoni. One thing, however, is likely: German prodigy Yann Aurel Bisseck is expected to see his longest Serie A playing time since joining Inter several months ago.

Bisseck represents a low-cost gamble for Inter, with his transfer fee paid in installments and his salary closer to a youth team level. The investment is minimal, and with his background in German national teams, even if he doesn’t fully develop, the financial loss would be limited. This kind of lottery ticket approach is reasonable, but this is Inter Milan, where young players often find encouragement hard to come by.

Coming from the Danish Superliga to Serie A with a low fee and low salary, and having been out of regular competitive action, it is unrealistic to expect Bisseck to be instantly effective or to avoid any learning curve. Comparing him now to the likes of Erling Haaland or Vinícius Júnior is premature. Inzaghi has taken a unique approach to his development: giving him more playing time in the Champions League while limiting his Serie A appearances to help him adapt.

Most contemporary footballers start by gaining experience in domestic leagues before stepping up to higher stages like the Champions League. Bisseck's path has been the opposite. So far this season, he has made three brief substitute appearances in Serie A, with the longest being a mere eight minutes, all in matches where Inter had a comfortable lead. In contrast, he has started twice in the Champions League, playing a full match once and being substituted out in another due to a yellow card, showing a starkly different scenario.

Several factors contribute to this situation. Firstly, Inzaghi is hesitant to rotate the squad in the league because the board, management, and fans prioritize securing the second star (symbolizing a 20th Serie A title). The pressure is too great to place on a newcomer. Secondly, Bisseck's extensive experience with German national teams, including several major tournaments, makes him more accustomed to the rhythm of intercontinental competitions, which are different from Serie A’s tempo. Starting him in European matches is somewhat more forgiving for a young player.

Now, with Inter facing a defensive crisis, Bisseck is poised to take on more significant responsibilities in Serie A. Unlike his previous brief appearances during garbage time, this could be his first real test in the league. Reviewing Bisseck’s career statistics, which include 157 club matches and 22 national team appearances, three primary strengths stand out.

Firstly, his robust physical attributes ensure a high success rate in duels. In the Champions League this season, Bisseck boasts a 70% success rate in duels, close to his career average across nearly 200 matches. While he might miss certain positions due to inexperience, he excels in direct confrontations.

Secondly, Bisseck is adept at clearances, blocking, and aerial challenges. During the UEFA U21 European Championship, he averaged an impressive 7.3 clearances per match. In both German and Danish leagues, he maintained an average of over 5 clearances per game. Though his playing time at Inter has been limited, he has already contributed 7 clearances and 2 blocked shots, affirming his defensive prowess.

Thirdly, Bisseck possesses a remarkable attacking ability. Despite his defensive role, he is strong offensively, demonstrated in the Champions League match against Benfica where his headed assist led to a crucial goal. His attacking skills include dribbling, advancing the ball, delivering accurate crosses, and even long-range shots. Over his career, he has scored several goals from outside the box, both in club and national team competitions.

Team reporters have noted that the coaching staff has given Bisseck two crucial pieces of advice recently. Firstly, they warned him about accumulating yellow cards. Bisseck has a tendency to receive cautions, and Inzaghi frequently uses substitutions to manage booked players. If Bisseck doesn’t address this, his already limited playing time could be further reduced. Secondly, they encouraged him to showcase his strengths. Since joining, Bisseck has played cautiously, perhaps fearing mistakes. However, in the second half against Benfica, after making an error, he played more freely and effectively, highlighting his true potential.

Tonight, Bisseck is expected to get his most substantial playing time in Serie A since joining Inter, providing a crucial opportunity to prove himself. Despite the general skepticism and political correctness in the Inter community about young talents, there remains a glimmer of hope for those willing to take a chance.