Inter Milan's Two Hopes to Save the Grand Priest: Three Major Challenges for the Blue-Black Iniesta

At Inter Milan, one player stands out for his unique role and the nickname "The Grand Priest" or "The Professional Sacrifice": Stefano Sensi. During the pre-season, Sensi impressed with his performance and consecutive goals. A long-time friend of mine persistently asked me to write about Sensi, but I initially declined. In the last match against Frosinone, Sensi came off the bench after Kristjan Asllani's unexpected injury and delivered two threatening passes within ten minutes, showcasing an entertaining brand of football. My friend, who has an unwavering affection for Sensi despite the player's frequent struggles, urged me again to discuss Sensi. His persistent loyalty is touching and exemplifies the admirable qualities of Inter fans. So, it's time to address this long-overdue topic.

Sensi's talent and abilities have never been in question, even during his lowest points. His issue has always been injuries. As the Italian saying goes, "Sensi is always injured, whether it's his left leg or his right leg..." When asked if there is hope for Inter to save Sensi, the answer is: slim, but possible. Firstly, Sensi himself has not given up. According to team journalist Fabrizio Biasin, several players have been putting in extra effort during training, including Klaassen, Asllani, and Sensi. Additionally, support from his family has helped Sensi avoid past mistakes. Coach Simone Inzaghi has never deliberately sidelined Sensi; on the contrary, he appreciates the unique qualities Sensi brings to the team. In Inzaghi's first year at Inter, despite Sensi's two injuries in September and October (one being a major injury that kept him out for over a month), the coach still gave him 12 appearances in half a season, indicating his importance to the team.

However, after returning in November, Sensi only made a few substitute appearances before becoming disgruntled and making disparaging remarks. In January's winter transfer window, Sensi pushed for a loan move. Before the transfer, Inzaghi publicly and earnestly pleaded with him to stay, but to no avail. Frankly, getting injured twice in half a season, then causing unrest post-recovery and demanding more playing time or a transfer after sitting on the bench for a few matches, is not the right attitude. Such behavior might be tolerated at a smaller club but is reckless at a major club. Fortunately, after his stints at Sampdoria and Monza, where he faced harsh realities, Sensi has matured. In recent months, he got married and focused on family, which has stabilized his mindset. This season, despite being excluded from Inter's Champions League squad and sitting on the bench for five matches post-recovery in mid-October, Sensi refrained from complaining and instead focused on impressing the coach through rigorous training—an evident improvement in his attitude.

Given these two points, there is still hope for saving Sensi. However, as La Gazzetta dello Sport points out, the challenges for Inter in this endeavor are substantial. Firstly, there's the restriction of being left out of the squad. Inter's upcoming three matches are against Juventus, Benfica, and Napoli. The match against Benfica, with Inter having already secured their place, presents an opportunity to experiment. But Sensi, not included in the Champions League squad, will miss out. His injury before the squad announcement was ill-timed.

Secondly, there are too many alternatives. Sensi primarily plays in Mkhitaryan's position and can also fill in for Calhanoglu. However, many players are vying for these spots, such as Frattesi (who, if selected, might see Barella shifting positions), Klaassen (whose effort rivals Sensi's), and Asllani (whose importance in the coach's eyes has visibly increased this season). While Sensi might possess unique qualities, the aforementioned players have the durability that top clubs need. Thus, the competition is intense.

Thirdly, and most importantly, Sensi must prove that he can still play in competitive matches. This concern has led the coach to bench him for the past month. Over the years, Sensi has had numerous injuries. Physical ailments can eventually be overcome, but the psychological scars are significant. Sensi has a deep-seated fear of injuries. During the pre-season, he excelled and was a standout performer. However, I pointed out then, despite some controversy, that friendly matches lack physicality and, therefore, are not a reliable indicator of his capabilities. Against Frosinone, after Inter went 2-0 up and the opponent essentially gave up, Sensi shone in a less physical contest—hardly enough to allay the coach’s concerns. How would he fare in a more physically demanding match? Can his body and mind withstand the rigors? This season, Sensi's two injuries were caused by slightly increased training intensity. In the past two seasons, he has been injured six times (four of which were serious injuries lasting more than a fortnight), mostly due to the slightly higher match intensity. In today's Serie A, referees generally emphasize physicality and encourage rough play. Whether it’s strong teams like Juventus and Atalanta or numerous mid-to-lower table teams, physical battles form their core. For Sensi to secure more playing time at Inter and to play the role of "Blue-Black Iniesta," he needs to prove not only that he won’t repeat past mistakes but also that he can withstand "Serie A intensity" and isn’t limited to matches or periods with minimal physical challenges.

In summary, there is hope for saving Sensi, but significant obstacles remain. During my last visit to Italy, I was captivated by the local glass crafts. Despite taking utmost care during transport, they still broke. Isn't Sensi much the same? He possesses remarkable talent but is unfortunately misplaced in an era of "athleticized football" and "brutal Serie A," a regrettable mismatch. Let’s hope he finds good fortune ahead because there are still many who genuinely care for him.