Inter's Preseason Gains Evident at Stamford Bridge: Avoiding the Fate of Napoli and AC Milan

In a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, former Inter Milan captain Giuseppe Bergomi, revered within the Inter community for his accurate predictions and insightful commentary, discussed the challenges facing the team as they seek to defend their Serie A title. Bergomi highlighted that the biggest obstacle for Inter's title defense lies in maintaining a winning mentality throughout the season. He noted, “The most important thing for Inter is to keep the team hungry for victories. AC Milan finished fifth the season after they won the Scudetto, while Napoli dropped to 10th. This is an issue of determination and motivation—without it, it’s very difficult. Inter must find a way to erase the 19-point lead they had over AC Milan because it no longer exists; that’s the key.”

The phenomenon of Serie A champions experiencing a significant decline the following season has become almost a norm in recent years. This drop-off is often attributed to two main factors. Firstly, there’s the well-discussed issue of financial rewards. After winning a title, both players and coaches naturally expect bonuses, but if management fails to deliver—as seen with Napoli’s notoriously frugal owner, who prefers to pocket the club’s earnings—tensions can arise, causing rifts within the team. In this regard, Inter has done well, with many key players and coach Simone Inzaghi receiving contract extensions and pay raises after their Scudetto win.

Secondly, there’s the issue of tactical predictability. When a team finds success, other clubs inevitably study their strategies, seeking ways to counter them. Serie A is known for its teams’ defensive acumen, with many sides employing a “sticky” approach, focused on nullifying their opponents’ strengths. Relying on a single formula for success might work for a season, but expecting it to carry a team for three to five years is overly optimistic. From this perspective, Inter needs to find “new growth points” for the upcoming season. Adding depth to the squad is one approach, but more importantly, introducing new elements and fresh blood can prevent the existing starters from becoming complacent.

After Inter’s preseason ended with a match against Chelsea, where they secured a 1-1 draw, it became clear that the team had indeed identified some of these new growth points. Over the course of their six preseason matches, Inter recorded three wins, two draws, and one loss. The most significant takeaway from these matches was the team’s ability to uncover new strengths.

Pressure from New Signings

One of the key “new growth points” came from the pressure exerted by new signings. Although he has recently been sidelined with an injury, Mehdi Taremi made an immediate impact in the first three preseason matches, scoring five goals and providing an assist. He also showcased some unique skills, such as his ability to win penalties, which is unmatched within the squad. Taremi’s performances have sparked discussions among Inter fans about whether he should be a regular starter, with polls across various platforms debating whether Taremi or Marcus Thuram should lead the line. In the match at Stamford Bridge, Thuram emerged as Inter’s most dangerous player, raising the question of whether Taremi’s arrival had motivated Thuram to up his game. The likely answer is yes.

Additionally, the preseason has seen some of Inter’s key players, such as Piotr Zielinski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, experience muscle fatigue, a result of the team’s intensified training regimen. This increased intensity, driven by the internal competition, or what some might call “neijuan” (involution), has even affected Yann Sommer, who was named the best player in the Chelsea match by British media. His performance might be linked to the arrival of new goalkeeper Joséph Martinez, whose presence seems to have pushed Sommer to new heights. If the arrival of new signings can make last season’s heroes work even harder, then this represents a significant new growth point for Inter.

Progress of Existing Substitutes

Another critical area of progress has been the improvement of existing substitutes. Over the six preseason matches, considering both playing time and performances, the player who has impressed the most is Yann Aurel Bisseck. At Stamford Bridge, it was Bisseck who initiated the deep run from the back that led to Inter’s goal. After the match, Bisseck took to social media to declare that he was “more than ready” for the new season. Last season, Bisseck only managed 904 minutes of Serie A action, transitioning from a reliable, if unspectacular, squad player to someone unafraid to showcase his talents. His confidence has grown, as has the coaching staff’s faith in him, which is crucial for a young substitute player.

According to Sky Italia reporters, if there are issues with the central defenders this season—especially with Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij both recently sidelined with injuries—Inzaghi is more likely to turn to Benjamin Pavard rather than Bisseck for the central role. The reason is simple: Inzaghi wants to maximize Bisseck’s attacking potential. In other words, Bisseck has become a “weapon” that Inzaghi plans to deploy strategically, and it’s reasonable to expect a significant increase in Bisseck’s contributions this season.

The Potential of Davide Frattesi

Another player who could become a “new growth point” this season is Davide Frattesi. Last season, Frattesi scored eight goals and provided seven assists, earning him a regular spot on the Italian national team. However, his potential impact at Inter has been widely underestimated this summer, especially after the arrival of Zielinski, which many believe could limit Frattesi’s playing time. Rumors of a possible departure for Frattesi have been rampant, fueled by speculation from the media in Turin.

Many experts have expressed concerns that Frattesi’s desire to secure a starting spot could become a source of tension within the team, potentially creating an “an-lei” (a hidden danger) in the locker room. However, Inzaghi sees it differently. His primary concern isn’t about managing egos but about maintaining the team’s motivation after securing their second star. He fears that without this drive, Inter could follow in the footsteps of Napoli and AC Milan, who both struggled the season after winning the Scudetto. Inzaghi believes that Frattesi’s hunger for success and fighting spirit could act as a “catfish effect” for the team, stirring up the established players and preventing complacency.

Despite the challenges posed by the Olympics, which limited opportunities to closely follow all six preseason matches, it’s clear that Inter’s biggest takeaway from this preseason has been their ability to meet the coach’s objectives: to find new growth points. Whether through the pressure exerted by new signings, the progress of existing substitutes like Bisseck, or the potential impact of a player like Frattesi, Inter seems to be well-prepared to avoid the pitfalls that have plagued other defending champions.

Lessons from Napoli and AC Milan

The lessons from Napoli’s and AC Milan’s struggles following their title-winning seasons are clear: a team must constantly evolve to remain at the top. For Napoli, the issue was a lack of motivation and internal conflicts exacerbated by financial disputes. For AC Milan, it was a failure to adapt as other teams figured out how to counter their tactics. Inter must avoid these pitfalls by continuously refreshing their squad and ensuring that their players remain driven and hungry for success.

Inter’s management seems to have learned these lessons, as evidenced by their handling of contracts and the introduction of new players who bring fresh energy and competition to the squad. The preseason performances, particularly in the match against Chelsea, suggest that Inzaghi’s team is on the right track. They have not only retained their core strengths but have also identified and integrated new growth points that could be crucial in their title defense.

The Role of Simone Inzaghi

Inzaghi’s role in this process cannot be overstated. His ability to manage a squad full of both established stars and hungry newcomers will be crucial in maintaining the delicate balance between motivation and team harmony. Inzaghi has shown that he is not afraid to make tough decisions, such as prioritizing Bisseck’s attacking contributions over traditional defensive roles or backing Frattesi despite potential locker room tensions.

This willingness to adapt and innovate is precisely what Inter needs to avoid the fate that befell Napoli and AC Milan. By keeping the team’s fuel tank full—whether through the competitive drive of new signings or the continued progress of young talents—Inzaghi can ensure that Inter remains at the top of Serie A and beyond.

Final Thoughts

As the new Serie A season approaches, Inter finds itself in a strong position to defend its title. The lessons learned from the preseason, especially the draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, offer valuable insights into how the team can maintain its momentum. The introduction of new players like Taremi, the progress of substitutes like Bisseck, and the potential impact of players like Frattesi all point to a team that is ready to evolve and grow.

The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities. If Inter can continue to build on the new growth points identified in the preseason, they will be well-positioned to avoid the pitfalls that have tripped up other defending champions. Under Inzaghi’s leadership, Inter looks set to not only defend their Serie A title but also to make a serious impact in Europe.