Inter Receives Three Pieces of Good News: Inzaghi Sharpens Inter's Edge, Oak Tree Capital’s Grand Vision

As the international break begins, Inter Milan is both proud and challenged. A remarkable fifteen players have been called up to represent their national teams, including Canadian forward Tajon Buchanan, who has yet to make his official debut for Inter this season. According to Transfermarkt, Inter leads Serie A not only in the number of national call-ups but also in the collective market value of these internationals. But with these honors comes the inevitable "FIFA virus," a term describing the toll international duty often takes on club teams. For Inter, the impact is substantial, as only ten players from their 25-man squad remain at the club for the next ten days. Without calling up reinforcements from Inter’s youth squad, Simone Inzaghi's training sessions might lack the numbers needed for regular practice.

Yet, amidst these difficulties, three positive developments have emerged from Inter’s training ground: the return of Brazilian star Carlos Augusto, a training plan focused on improving shooting accuracy, and Oak Tree Capital’s latest commitment to bolster Inter’s youth system with a competitive U23 squad in Serie C.

1. Carlos Augusto’s Return Bolsters Inter’s Left Side

The first piece of good news is the return of Brazilian wingback Carlos Augusto. After sustaining an injury during a Champions League match against Swiss opponents, Augusto has been sidelined, leaving a noticeable void on Inter’s left flank. In his absence, Inter has had to improvise, deploying players like right-back Matteo Darmian in unfamiliar left-sided roles to compensate.

However, Augusto’s recovery appears to be progressing well. The medical team has expressed confidence that he will be fully fit to play in Inter's upcoming Serie A match against Verona on November 23. His return is a significant boost for Inzaghi’s squad, bringing natural width, balance, and the potential to reinvigorate Inter’s attacking dynamics on the left side. With Augusto back, Inter can restore its tactical versatility and solidify their left-wing attack, which had been a source of concern.

2. Inzaghi Targets Efficiency in Front of Goal with a Special Training Regimen

Despite a successful season so far, Inter has struggled with one key issue—converting chances. Inter currently leads Serie A in shot attempts, with 188 efforts on goal, a testament to their superior ability to create attacking opportunities. Yet, their shooting accuracy has been troubling. With a shot conversion rate of only 12%, Inter has not translated their attacking potential into a proportionate number of goals. As a result, several games that should have been easy wins, including the recent Derby d’Italia, slipped away due to missed opportunities.

This inefficiency has been traced to players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whose shot accuracy has been disappointing. Over the past season and a half, Mkhitaryan has taken 64 shots across all competitions, with only nine hitting the target. Inzaghi and his coaching staff see the international break as a perfect opportunity to address this issue. With most of the squad away, the coaches plan to conduct intensive shooting drills with the remaining players. This specialized training aims to refine the shooting accuracy of Inter’s forwards and midfielders, hoping that even a small improvement could turn more of these shots into crucial goals. Should Mkhitaryan and others improve their finishing touch, Inter would be poised to convert more of their league-leading chances, strengthening their position in Serie A.

3. Oak Tree Capital’s Bold Vision for Inter’s U23 Squad in Serie C

Perhaps the most exciting news surrounds Inter’s U23 squad development. For years, Inter’s youth system has been robust, yet it has lacked a consistent feeder team in the Italian professional leagues to bridge the gap between youth and senior football. However, recent meetings between Inter and Oak Tree Capital have addressed this, with Oak Tree ordering a significant overhaul of the club’s U23 setup. The primary objective? To have an Inter U23 team competing in Serie C by next summer.

Inter’s board, led by CEO Giuseppe Marotta, previously identified three major obstacles to establishing an U23 team in Serie C: limited funding, inadequate training facilities, and the league’s roster and licensing requirements. Financial constraints have kept the club from securing suitable facilities and obtaining Serie C qualification, which includes stringent financial requirements. In short, Inter’s cash flow has been too tight to support these structural needs.

But with Oak Tree Capital’s financial backing, these challenges seem surmountable. The proposal reportedly allocates €20-30 million to help Inter's U23 squad meet all the necessary conditions. Leading the initiative is transfer deputy manager Dario Baccin, who has been tasked with fast-tracking the formation of this new squad.

The current plan calls for Inter’s U23 team to train at the club’s Appiano Gentile base, although scheduling will be staggered to accommodate both the senior squad and the youth team. Baccin has also been in talks with property owners in the area, exploring options for expanding training grounds to house both teams more comfortably. As for a stadium, Inter is considering renting the municipal stadium in Venegono, a small town outside Milan. Although the facility can only accommodate 700 spectators, it offers an affordable venue for Inter’s U23 matches. While this is a modest solution, it’s a practical choice given the budget.

Inter’s U23 squad would not lack for coaching talent. The club is exploring internal options, with candidates like Cristian Chivu and club legend Samir Handanović seen as capable choices for overseeing the U23 team. With a clear development pathway, Inter is confident in its ability to field a strong U23 side filled with emerging talent.

A New Era of Development for Inter Milan

In creating an U23 team, Inter Milan aims to harness its talent pipeline more effectively, providing young players with competitive, professional match experience in Serie C. Such a project could help Inter emulate the success of clubs like Juventus, who have used their U23 squad in Serie C to give prospects vital playing time. Not only would this initiative allow Inter to retain and develop homegrown talent, but it would also create a direct pathway for players to advance into the senior team, fostering continuity within the club.

Oak Tree Capital’s commitment to Inter’s development is promising, yet it is only the beginning. As the financial backers for Inter’s long-term vision, Oak Tree now faces the challenge of turning their promises into action. If they succeed, the new U23 squad could become a cornerstone of Inter’s youth development structure, potentially transforming the club’s financial and sporting future.

These developments paint a hopeful picture for Inter. With key players recovering, training adjustments addressing tactical weaknesses, and a new foundation for youth development, the Nerazzurri are building not only for the present but for the future. Fans are eagerly watching to see if Oak Tree Capital’s promises will come to fruition and if Inter’s U23 squad can indeed make its debut in Serie C next season. If Inter can solidify these plans, the club will be in a stronger position to compete both domestically and in Europe, laying the groundwork for sustained success.