Following their victory against Feyenoord in the Champions League round of 16, Inter Milan has progressed to the quarterfinals where they will face Bayern Munich. The Italian team remains competitive in all three major competitions this season, raising the possibility of a Treble win. However, the next two months will be crucial in determining whether this season becomes a historic triumph or a disappointment for the Nerazzurri.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi hinted at the team’s ambitions after the first leg match against Feyenoord. When asked during a press conference about potentially winning two competitions (implicitly referring to Serie A and Champions League), Inzaghi gestured with three fingers, emphasizing that Inter is still in contention for all three titles, including the Coppa Italia. This gesture sparked discussions about the team’s Treble aspirations.
Currently, Inter leads Serie A with a narrow one-point lead over Napoli. This Sunday’s away match against Atalanta is critical, as a defeat could potentially see Atalanta overtake them in the league standings. Furthermore, Inter is set to play against AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinals next month and is preparing for the Champions League quarterfinal clash against Bayern Munich.
While winning all three competitions is a significant challenge, reminiscent of Inter’s historic 2010 Treble under Jose Mourinho – the only Italian team to achieve this feat – Inzaghi has not dismissed the possibility. His comments have fueled speculation about Inter’s potential to repeat this unprecedented success.
After defeating Monza, Inzaghi jokingly corrected his earlier statement, saying he should have mentioned four competitions, including the FIFA Club World Cup. Despite some inconsistent results and performances, Inzaghi maintains a positive outlook for the remainder of the season.
The upcoming weeks will be pivotal in evaluating Inzaghi’s tenure at Inter. While his position isn’t immediately threatened, failing to secure at least one major title – either Serie A or the Champions League – would likely be considered a setback.
Injuries are a concern for Inter, particularly the recent injury to key midfielder Piotr Zielinski, who is expected to be sidelined for six weeks. This leaves Inzaghi with limited midfield options during a congested fixture schedule. Zielinski, arguably Inter’s best signing of the season, will be unavailable during a critical period.
As Inzaghi aims to optimize his squad for the final stretch of the season, this might represent the last realistic opportunity for this Inter team to win the Champions League, especially after their defeat in the 2023 final against Manchester City. Significant squad changes are anticipated in the summer under the ownership of Oaktree Capital Management, who are focused on the club’s long-term financial stability. It remains to be seen whether Inzaghi will prioritize the Champions League or Serie A, but Inter is currently in contention to potentially replicate their remarkable 2009-10 season.
