The Storm Won't Calm: Lautaro and Acerbi Present New Challenges for Inter Milan

As the international break concludes and the league resumes, Inter Milan, longing for a period of calm, finds itself embroiled in new troubles. Over the past day, two Inter players have topped the Italian sports headlines, creating management headaches for the club. These two players are Francesco Acerbi and Lautaro Martínez.

The Acerbi Controversy

The first issue involves Acerbi, who, in an interview with La Stampa, stated, "If everything is punished as racism, then insults against Serbs, Italians, and even mothers should also be penalized." His intention was to argue against the overzealous interpretation of incidents as racist. However, using Serbs as an example was unwise, given that Serbian players have frequently faced racial abuse in Serie A in recent years. Consequently, Acerbi has faced significant backlash on social media.

Many fans, who did not initially consider Acerbi to be discriminatory, began to harbor doubts after his remarks. Acerbi’s biggest mistake is his failure to understand the principle of "less is more" when it comes to sensitive issues. He believed that by speaking out, he could reverse the negative perception. However, his numerous interviews have only exacerbated the situation. In contrast, Inter's management has wisely maintained silence throughout the controversy, demonstrating a more prudent approach.

Inter fans are now calling for the club to instruct Acerbi to "keep quiet, work hard, and focus on playing football." The sentiment is that Acerbi should understand that if he is not good at speaking, he should speak less. However, managing such situations is not straightforward. There are precedents in Serie A where clubs have issued gag orders to players, but these were emergency measures taken in extreme circumstances. Usually, clubs avoid such actions as they can be unpopular and may give the impression of the club being insecure.

Whether and how Inter should intervene in the Acerbi matter is a question for the higher-ups. Restricting a player's freedom of speech is delicate, as it can lead to resentment and portray the club in a negative light. Additionally, media engagements often involve financial incentives for players, and cutting off such opportunities is rarely well-received.

Lautaro's Olympic Aspirations

The second issue involves Lautaro Martínez and the controversy surrounding his potential participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Recently, Argentine media have speculated that the Argentine U23 team might invite Lautaro as an overage player. Lautaro responded positively, saying, "If they want to call me up, I will always choose to serve the national team. It has been my dream since childhood to wear the Argentine jersey, enter the training ground, and listen to the national anthem. If Mascherano is listening, I confirm that I am willing to be called up. Of course, it is not up to me, but if selected, I will give my all."

Lautaro’s statement is perfectly reasonable. He did not initiate the topic; he simply responded to reporters’ questions as any citizen would. However, Italian media, especially those that thrive on creating anxiety among Inter fans like La Gazzetta dello Sport and La Repubblica, quickly asserted that Inter would not stand in Lautaro's way if he wishes to play in the Olympics. These media outlets often make definitive claims about Inter without thorough understanding, either out of ignorance or malice.

FIFA mandates that clubs release players for official international matches, but the Olympics are not considered an official "A" international match, and the U23 national team is distinct from the senior team. Therefore, whether Lautaro participates in the Olympics is a matter of negotiation between the player and his club.

The Coach's Perspective

Inter’s coaching staff is not in favor of Lautaro participating in the Olympics. They are concerned not only because it would affect Lautaro's availability for summer training but also because of the potential long-term impact on his performance and health. Reviewing Lautaro’s schedule highlights the issue.

Inter's season ends on May 26. Immediately afterward, Lautaro would have to join the national team for the Copa América preparation, which begins in early June. The Copa América will be held from June 20 to July 14 in the United States, with Argentina scheduled to play warm-up matches on June 9 in Chicago and June 14 in Maryland. According to TYC Sports, Lautaro is one of the key players expected to be in Argentina's Copa América squad.

After the Copa América, if Lautaro were to participate in the Olympics, he would go directly from the U.S. to France for Olympic training. The Olympics will take place from July 24 to August 10 across seven different cities in France. Following the Olympics, the new Serie A season will commence, giving Lautaro no time to rest.

Inter also has commitments in the Club World Cup from June 15 to July 13, 2025. If Lautaro participates in the Olympics, he would not have a break until mid-July 2025. La Gazzetta dello Sport points out that this means Lautaro would be competing continuously for 14 months starting from the end of this season. However, the actual duration is 24 months, from Inter’s pre-season training in July 2023 to his eventual rest in July 2025. This relentless schedule would undoubtedly lead to physical exhaustion, decreased performance, increased injury risk, and mental fatigue—outcomes Inter is keen to avoid.

The coaching staff prefers that Lautaro has a 2-3 week break after the Copa América to recharge rather than going straight to the Olympics. However, this decision requires negotiation and cannot be enforced unilaterally. Inter's management must tread carefully to avoid backlash, both from Argentine fans and media, and to ensure that Lautaro does not feel unfairly targeted.

Conclusion

Inter Milan faces significant challenges with both Acerbi and Lautaro. Managing Acerbi’s public relations crisis requires a delicate balance between allowing free speech and mitigating reputational damage. On the other hand, negotiating Lautaro’s participation in the Olympics demands careful consideration of his health, performance, and the club’s interests. The club’s management must navigate these issues with tact and prudence to maintain harmony within the team and ensure that both players can focus on their primary goal: winning on the field.