One of Serie A’s Best U23 Holding Midfielders: Can Asllani Turn It Around at Inter?

In recent weeks, the Albanian news agency APA revealed an interesting story about Kristjan Asllani, the young midfielder of Inter Milan. During Albania's UEFA Nations League match on matchday four, Asllani made a special request to the national team staff. Early in the morning, he approached them and said, "Today is my brother Leo’s birthday. Please help me prepare a special shirt that I can show off if I score." His request was met with smiles and approval. However, some were skeptical, considering Asllani’s reputation as a player not known for his scoring prowess. Asllani had last scored for Albania back in June 2023, and since then, he had gone 16 international matches without a goal. Even at Inter, he had only scored once in 66 appearances. Nonetheless, fate smiled upon him. Asllani managed to deliver a spectacular goal, blasting a low drive from the edge of the box that flew into the bottom corner, and he was able to showcase the shirt with a birthday message for his brother.

This moment of brilliance for Albania has earned Asllani heaps of praise back home, with both the Albanian public and the team’s staff lauding him as a hero. Yet, in Italy, the narrative around him has been far less forgiving. Italian media outlets have been quick to criticize Asllani’s development, often highlighting the significant contrast between his performances for the Albanian national team and his struggles at Inter Milan. In fact, the conversation has turned so negative that many are speculating whether Inter will lose patience with the 21-year-old and seek to offload him in search of new talent.

The latest cover story from La Gazzetta dello Sport encapsulates this sentiment perfectly: "Indispensable for the National Team, But Limited at Inter: Who Is the Real Asllani?" The publication raises a perplexing question about why Asllani shines in an Albania jersey but appears to be Inter’s weak link when stepping onto the pitch at the San Siro. For Albania, Asllani has evolved into an essential player, a mainstay in the starting eleven, and a national idol. Yet at Inter, he is often criticized for being the weakest link in the midfield. The drop in quality whenever he replaces Hakan Çalhanoğlu is glaringly evident, prompting some to call for his departure from the club.

So why does this stark contrast exist? Various analysts have put forth their theories, but two perspectives seem particularly compelling. The first comes from Asllani himself, who stated, "At the national team, I play higher up the pitch, and I have to be more involved offensively." This positional difference is crucial. In Albania’s setup, he has more freedom to impact the attack, whereas at Inter, he is primarily used as a deep-lying midfielder—a role that arguably doesn’t suit a young and somewhat incomplete player like Asllani. Critics have labeled him a flop, but it’s important to note that Asllani is already one of the most valuable U23 holding midfielders in Serie A. In fact, there are only three defensive midfielders in the league valued at over €15 million, and Asllani is one of them. Even on a global scale, he ranks among the top 20 U23 holding midfielders in terms of market value. Many of these young players face similar scrutiny from their own fanbases, which underscores just how demanding the position of a holding midfielder is, requiring experience and tactical intelligence far beyond other roles. Replacing Asllani with another young talent would hardly guarantee a successful outcome.

The second insightful take comes from Inter legend Giuseppe Bergomi, one of Italy’s most respected pundits. Bergomi remarked, "Asllani has outstanding technical ability and quality, but at Inter, he often plays with a sense of fear. He needs to realize that just playing safe passes isn’t enough." Bergomi’s analysis hits the mark. Last season, Asllani boasted impressive passing statistics: a 95.2% accuracy rate for short passes, 94.4% for medium-range passes, and 77.3% for long balls, averaging 91.9 passes per 90 minutes. These numbers are quite close to Çalhanoğlu’s figures (93.4%, 94.9%, 76.4%, with 82.4 passes per game). The stark difference lies in two key areas: offensive passing and defensive aggression. Çalhanoğlu averaged around eight progressive passes per game, compared to Asllani’s mere three. Moreover, Çalhanoğlu attempted 2.32 tackles per 90 minutes, successfully completing 1.16, while Asllani managed only 0.8 attempts with a 0.23 success rate. Bergomi argues that this discrepancy isn’t necessarily about skill level but rather about mindset. Asllani has the tools, but he seems too afraid to take risks, preferring to play it safe.

In his 66 appearances for Inter, Asllani has showcased his vision and passing accuracy, but he rarely takes the initiative. In Albania’s matches, he presses more aggressively and breaks up plays with confidence, yet at Inter, he seems hesitant. He often backs off in duels, prioritizing safety over assertiveness. This caution is understandable. As a backup player, he knows that one high-risk pass gone wrong or a failed tackle could severely limit his already scarce playing time.

This fear-driven approach contributed to two glaring issues in Asllani’s game last season: a lack of progressive passing and defensive timidity. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that this season, Asllani is making a conscious effort to change. His statistics reflect this newfound aggression. Last season, he attempted 0.8 tackles per game with a 28.8% success rate. This year, he has increased his tackle attempts to 3.33 per 90 minutes, with about half of those occurring in advanced positions. Though his success rate remains around 30%, the sheer increase in volume shows a significant change in intent. Furthermore, his shot attempts have risen by 57%, and his key passes have increased by 44%. These changes make Asllani a more active presence on the pitch.

However, there are downsides to this shift. His increased aggression has led to more times being dribbled past and a higher rate of losing possession, giving critics new ammunition. Still, his impact on both offense and defense is becoming more visible in highlight reels. In essence, Asllani is no longer content with merely “playing it safe.” He is pushing himself to make a more meaningful impact, even if that means making more mistakes along the way.

After 66 matches of Inter investing in Asllani’s development, it appears that this season may be a turning point. The growing pains he is experiencing now are part of a crucial transformation, one that could elevate him to a new level or expose more flaws. At this juncture, Asllani is at a critical crossroads. His recent success with Albania should boost his confidence and perhaps help him carry that self-assurance back to Inter. While it remains to be seen how this narrative will unfold, one thing is certain: Asllani’s evolution is far from over. The young star’s journey is one to watch closely, as he continues to grapple with the pressure of becoming a complete player.