Inter's Two "Sacrificial" Players Silence Doubts: Winning Accolades Despite Lingering Regrets

Inter Milan secured a 2-0 victory in their latest Serie A match, a result that, while not entirely convincing, ensured the team collected three valuable points. However, post-match discussions have been dominated by concerns over Inter’s performance, particularly the disparity between their solid first-half display and their less sharp second-half approach.

The coaching staff, led by Simone Inzaghi, addressed these concerns by revealing that the team deliberately chose to "play it safe" in the second half. The goal was to learn to manage a lead more effectively by slowing the game down and "grinding out" results. This tactic comes in response to a recognized weakness from the past two seasons, where Inter often struggled to maintain their lead. The transition period, marked by the arrival of several new players, has naturally reduced team cohesion, reinforcing the need for this cautious approach.

This summer, Inter underwent a significant overhaul with ten players coming in and eleven leaving (potentially eleven incoming, pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations). Given the squad’s recent changes, the team’s full potential will take time to materialize. For now, the focus is on players who are proving crucial to the team’s development. While players like Lautaro Martínez and Denzel Dumfries have earned praise for their standout performances, it's worth examining the contributions of Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Marcus Thuram, who have both played pivotal roles in recent games.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu: The Unsung Hero

Hakan Çalhanoğlu has been identified by data analysts as the match's best player, a sentiment echoed by various media outlets that awarded him the highest ratings. Çalhanoğlu covered an impressive 12,787 meters during the game, engaged in 11 duels (winning seven of them), and was involved in five tackles, two clearances, and two blocks. He also completed 107 passes with a 98% accuracy rate. His contributions in defense, physical duels, and his ability to organize the play from deep have been invaluable.

However, Çalhanoğlu’s standout moment came late in the game when he struck the post, leaving him with a sense of missed opportunity. Following the departure of Marcelo Brozović during the summer transfer window, many pundits, including legends like Giuseppe Bergomi and others, expressed concerns about Inter’s midfield becoming too focused on technique and forward runs at the expense of defensive solidity. The burden of doing the "dirty work" has now fallen on Çalhanoğlu, positioning him as the team’s "sacrificial" player.

After the match, Çalhanoğlu acknowledged his increased defensive responsibilities this season, saying, "Of course, my defensive duties have increased. My role is now more withdrawn, but I enjoy playing this position. I like helping the team and always strive to do what’s best for us." As Inter's key player in maintaining balance between attack and defense, Çalhanoğlu’s importance this season could surpass that of last year. His ability to consistently shoulder this burden will be crucial, especially against stronger teams, raising questions about whether teammates like Nicolò Barella and Kristjan Asllani can help ease his workload. This will be a critical area of focus in the coming weeks.

Marcus Thuram: The Emerging Talisman

Marcus Thuram continues to struggle with scoring, a trend that has persisted from preseason into the current campaign. After two starts and 144 minutes on the pitch, Thuram is yet to register a shot on target, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by fans and journalists alike. During the post-match press conference, Simone Inzaghi was repeatedly asked about Edin Džeko, with many drawing comparisons between Thuram and the Bosnian striker. This scenario is reminiscent of the constant comparisons drawn with Lionel Messi during his time at Inter Miami, where every performance was scrutinized through the lens of the Argentine’s legacy.

Despite these criticisms, Thuram received the highest rating from La Gazzetta dello Sport and was widely praised for his overall contribution. The fact that Thuram has not scored is more a reflection of the opportunities available to him (his expected goals, or xG, stands at just 0.17, roughly one-thirteenth of Lautaro Martínez’s xG) rather than his ability. Thuram’s playing style differs significantly from Džeko’s. Whereas Džeko was known for holding off defenders and maintaining possession to allow teammates to join the attack, Thuram prefers to quickly lay off the ball to his teammates, a tactic that has proven successful in speeding up Inter’s counterattacks.

However, this approach requires Thuram to drop deeper into midfield — and sometimes even into Inter’s own half — to link up play, as he often acts as a pivot for Inter’s build-up. This tactical shift was clearly evident in the heat maps from recent matches, demonstrating that Thuram is frequently required to retreat far more than Džeko did last season. This strategy is clearly a directive from the coaching staff. Thuram’s effectiveness was on display as he directly assisted Dumfries and indirectly contributed to Lautaro’s goal by setting up Federico Dimarco for the final assist.

Inzaghi was quick to praise Thuram post-match, stating, "Does Thuram play for the team? Absolutely! He’s been excellent. He’s only been with us for 40 days, but he’s so professional that it feels like he’s been part of the team for years. He hasn’t scored yet? I’m very satisfied with him. The important thing is that the team won!"

Despite the loyal fanbase of Džeko continuing to express their concerns, it is clear that the coaching staff appreciates players who are willing to sacrifice their personal statistics for the benefit of the team. Fans are also beginning to embrace Thuram, as evidenced by the fact that he received fan votes for man of the match comparable to those of the ever-popular Lautaro. The club’s official Twitter account even posted, "We’ve already fallen in love with Thuram!"

As Inzaghi has pointed out, Inter is still in a phase where many new signings have yet to fully integrate and contribute to the team. During this period, players who may not be making headlines but are vital to the team’s overall strategy are invaluable.

The praise directed towards Dumfries after his goal is well-deserved, but it would be unfair to overlook the roles played by Çalhanoğlu, whose pressing forced Cagliari to lose possession, and Thuram, whose pinpoint pass broke through the opposition’s defense. Both players exemplify the type of selfless play that will be crucial as Inter navigates the challenges of the season ahead.