Inter Witnesses a Repeat of Lautaro’s World Cup Controversy: South American Star’s Actions Diminish Chances of Staying

In a recent international friendly held in Parma, Albania suffered a 0-3 defeat to Chile. The pre-match buzz was centered around the "Inter reunion" between Alexis Sanchez and Kristjan Asllani. However, what transpired was an unexpected clash between these two Inter teammates, reminiscent of the infamous incident involving Lautaro Martinez and Denzel Dumfries during the Qatar World Cup. In the World Cup, Dumfries’ controversial verbal provocations towards Martinez during the penalty shootout against Argentina sparked intense debate. It was clear to many that had Martinez missed the penalty, the scrutiny and criticism he would have faced would have been monumental. While verbal duels during penalties are common, the ruthlessness displayed between club teammates was startling. The aftershocks of that incident still linger, with some Inter fans bringing it up to criticize Dumfries during his recent contract renewal controversy, accusing him of being inherently cold-hearted.

Such actions, however, can be understood in context. Playing for a club is a profession, a means of livelihood and career advancement, whereas representing one's national team taps into deep-seated patriotism and national pride. The two are fundamentally different. When a player gives everything for their national team, even at the cost of potentially harming a club colleague, it stems from a place of profound loyalty and dedication to their country. Understanding this distinction helps mitigate the need for moral judgment. At the time, Inter was most relieved that Martinez chose not to harbor resentment and forgave Dumfries, preventing the situation from escalating further.

A New Incident: Asllani vs. Sanchez

A similar situation unfolded in the 28th minute of the Albania-Chile friendly. During a contest for possession, Asllani tackled Sanchez in a way that was clearly intended to be considerate of his club teammate, with both feet on the ground aimed at the ball. In stark contrast, Sanchez responded with a hard stamp on Asllani's lower leg and ankle, causing significant pain and visible agitation. This action led to widespread criticism of Sanchez. Social media platforms were abuzz with fans questioning the necessity of such a harsh move in a mere friendly match. They pointed out that not only should club teammates show some leniency towards each other, but also that an injury to Asllani could jeopardize Inter’s campaign and Albania’s participation in the European Championships. They argued that the stakes of a friendly did not justify such a risky and aggressive tackle.

The controversy didn't stop there. Post-match, Sanchez expressed dissatisfaction with his limited playing time at Inter: "I am happy because we gave our all. I’ve played very few matches, and maintaining this level of performance is very difficult, but I am satisfied with the team’s performance..." This season, Sanchez has been positioned as Inter's fourth striker, with playing time comparable to Marko Arnautovic. Sanchez has appeared in 26 matches across all competitions, accumulating 852 minutes, while Arnautovic has played 28 times, totaling 900 minutes. Recently, Sanchez’s playing time has significantly increased, having featured in six matches from February 25th to the previous weekend, accumulating 298 minutes, scoring once, and providing three assists, although he missed a crucial penalty and played full matches twice.

Rising Discontent

Despite his increased involvement, Sanchez's comments came at a sensitive time. During the international break, when news is scarce, Italian media outlets are eager for any story to fill their pages. Publications like Gazzetta dello Sport have been focused on Inter’s potential acquisition of Kim Min-Jae, while Corriere dello Sport has been speculating on financial issues and alleged racism incidents. Sanchez’s remarks provided fodder for sensationalist reporting, potentially causing headaches for Inter’s management and coaching staff.

The Complexity of National Duty and Club Loyalty

Criticism of Sanchez should be tempered with an understanding of his passion and desire to contribute significantly to his national team. His combative spirit on the field is part of his character, and his ambition to secure more playing time is understandable. However, the incident and his subsequent comments have led to questions about his future at Inter. Previously, there had been media speculation about the possibility of extending his contract, contingent on him retiring from international duty. The recent events, including his contentious tackle and public dissatisfaction, have diminished the likelihood of a contract renewal. Inter’s strategic signing of Mehdi Taremi appears to be a contingency plan for Sanchez’s potential departure.

A Glimpse of Hope

Fortunately, Asllani was not injured in the incident and managed to play the full match. Whether Sanchez’s stomp was intentional or accidental, Asllani’s reaction showcased the sportsmanship, composure, and team spirit that Inter values. He quickly forgave Sanchez and even exchanged jerseys with him after the match, mirroring Martinez’s behavior during the World Cup incident.

Inter can take solace in the maturity and professionalism displayed by Asllani, hoping that this latest controversy, like the one in Qatar, will soon be forgotten. As the club continues to navigate through its competitive season, the focus remains on maintaining harmony and cohesion within the squad, ensuring that such incidents do not disrupt their pursuit of success both domestically and in Europe.