Two Legendary Traits Reborn in Taremi: The Three Wings He Adds to Inter Milan

In Inter Milan’s commanding 4-0 win over Red Star Belgrade, fans of the Nerazzurri were treated to more than just a routine victory. The match sparked memories of Inter’s glory days, rekindling nostalgia for records set during their treble-winning season in 2010. For the first time since April 2010, Inter scored directly from a free kick in the Champions League—a feat last achieved by Wesley Sneijder. Moreover, Inter extended their unbeaten home run in the Champions League to 10 matches, a streak last seen between February 2009 and November 2010 at the San Siro.

Despite these memorable milestones, the absolute standout of the night was none other than Mehdi Taremi. The Iranian forward was named Man of the Match, and for good reason. UEFA observer David Parnell showered praise on Taremi: “He was everywhere—part striker, part attacking midfielder. He always found the right position, showed aggression, and provided the exact elements Inter were missing.” Italian media echoed this sentiment, questioning, “Looking at his movement, can he really be called a No. 9?” With one goal, two assists, 23 touches, five ball recoveries, one dribble, three successful duels, and 9.5 kilometers of running, it’s no wonder Sky Italia expressed just one regret from the match: "The only shame was that Inter didn’t have a sixth substitution to take Taremi off earlier to allow him a standing ovation."

Taremi’s standout performance immediately drew comparisons to two legendary forwards who have previously worked under Inter manager Simone Inzaghi: Edin Džeko and Miroslav Klose. But what makes Taremi truly special are the three key elements he brings to Inter Milan—qualities that have the potential to elevate this team to new heights, especially in the Champions League.

Taremi’s Unique Strengths on the Champions League Stage

One of Taremi’s most crucial qualities is his prowess in Europe’s elite competition. While he only made his Champions League debut at the age of 28 and has appeared in just 28 matches (accumulating slightly over 2,000 minutes), his impact is undeniable. With 11 goals and 8 assists in the competition, Taremi has proven himself to be a unique figure in world football. Unlike many strikers who dominate in domestic leagues but falter in the Champions League—Zlatan Ibrahimović being a notable example—Taremi thrives on Europe’s biggest stage.

Since scoring his first Champions League goal against Juventus three years ago, Taremi has established himself as a menace to top-tier clubs. Of his 11 goals and 8 assists, more than half (6 goals and 4 assists) have come against European powerhouses like Juventus, Chelsea, Liverpool, AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and Atlético Madrid. This ability to perform against elite opposition is invaluable for Inter, especially given their current financial constraints, which require them to take every Champions League match seriously.

For Inter Milan, Taremi’s Champions League pedigree offers a level of reliability that many of his peers simply cannot provide. In a team that has had its share of inconsistent performances in Europe over the years, Taremi’s ability to raise his game on the continental stage makes him a critical asset. His arrival allows Inzaghi to field a player with a proven track record in high-stakes matches, giving Inter a better chance to succeed in their European campaign.

Enhancing Inzaghi’s Rotation Capabilities

Another key aspect of Taremi’s addition to Inter is his ability to bolster Simone Inzaghi’s rotation strategy. As Italian football legends like Fabio Capello have noted, Inzaghi has been on an upward trajectory as a manager for years. Winning the Serie A title last season and securing Inter’s second star was a testament to his tactical growth. However, for Inzaghi to take the next step, he needs to master the art of squad rotation, a skill that has eluded even some of Italy’s greatest coaches, including Antonio Conte.

Rotation in football is not as simple as it appears. It’s a delicate balance that requires finding the right players who can seamlessly fit into different tactical setups without compromising the team’s overall performance. Taremi’s versatility and ability to deliver consistent performances across different competitions make him a perfect player for Inzaghi’s rotation plans.

Taremi not only raises the level of quality among Inter’s backup players, but he also possesses a distinct strength that makes him invaluable: his Champions League pedigree. This is why Inzaghi has already started Taremi in both of Inter’s opening Champions League fixtures, where the Iranian forward played the full 90 minutes in each match. In just two games, Taremi has proven that starting him in Europe is a smart decision, providing both goals and assists while leading the team’s attack.

Taremi’s performances are likely to further convince Inzaghi to rely on him in future Champions League fixtures. His presence could be the key to unlocking even more depth in Inter’s squad rotation, allowing the team to maintain a high level of performance across multiple competitions.

The Perfect Fit for Inter’s Tactics: Creating Space Without Disrupting the Rhythm

The most important attribute that Taremi brings to Inter, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, is his ability to help the team “create space” without disrupting their relatively slower tempo. Inter currently faces two main challenges. First, the squad’s overall age (Inter’s starting XI against Red Star had an average age of 31.0 years, making them one of the oldest teams in the league) means they cannot maintain the relentless, high-speed style of play typical of Premier League sides. Second, Inter’s forwards are not known for their ability to dribble past defenders with quick, flashy movements. This means the team needs a player who can help create space for others in less direct ways.

In modern football, there are generally three ways to create space in the attack. One option is to have a dribbling specialist who can draw multiple defenders toward them, but players of that caliber are usually beyond Inter’s financial reach. Another method is to rely on fast players who can exploit counter-attacking opportunities by quickly advancing the ball into the opponent’s half. However, given the age and pace of Inter’s squad, signing a couple of speedy players is unlikely to make a significant impact.

This is where Taremi comes in. While he may not have blistering pace, his ability to intelligently position himself and move across the field allows him to create local numerical advantages for his team. Taremi’s clever ball handling, combined with his knack for finding the right space at the right time, enables him to support his teammates without requiring Inter to play at a faster tempo than they are comfortable with.

Since joining Inter, Taremi has played just 345 minutes across all competitions, taking only three shots (one of which was a penalty). Yet, he has recovered possession more than 10 times in the opposition’s half and created seven clear-cut chances for his teammates, resulting in three assists. Through this style of play, Taremi has proven that he can help Inter’s other forwards by creating space without altering the team’s rhythm or adding extra pressure on his teammates.

Taremi’s Unique Impact on Inter

Iranian media has lauded Taremi for his ability to bide his time on the field, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They’ve highlighted his "cold, calculating" presence, which makes him even more dangerous when he suddenly bursts into action. This measured approach has been crucial for Taremi in helping him integrate smoothly into Inter’s setup.

Taremi’s preseason performances for Inter were a strong indication of the player’s potential, and this momentum hasn’t been derailed by minor injuries. His display against Red Star Belgrade demonstrated that he has firmly established himself within Inter’s squad. Moving forward, it is reasonable to expect that Taremi will continue to play a vital role for the Nerazzurri, with many more memorable performances to come.