Inter Serie A 2021-22 season preview: all the completed transfers and what to expect

With the end of the summer transfer window, Football Italia previews the 2021-22 Serie A campaign and what to expect from Inter. Words Richard Hall.

The 2020-21 champions should have had a summer of building on their success; instead it’s been a summer of rebuilding, with a new coach and the sales of two players crucial to last season’s triumph. Antonio Conte, Achraf Hakimi and Romelu Lukaku have all left and it’s on Simone Inzaghi to pick up the pieces.

INTER TRANSFERS IN

Calhanoglu (M, Milan), Cordaz (G, Crotone), Dzeko (S, Roma), Dumfries (D, PSV Eindhoven), Correa (S, Lazio)

INTER TRANSFERS OUT

Padelli (G, Udinese), Young (D, Aston Villa), Hakimi (D, PSG), Lukaku (S, Chelsea),  Pinamonti (S, Empoli), Lazaro (M, Benfica), Joao Mario (M, out of contract), Agoume (M, Brest), Vergani (S, Salernitana)

PROBABLE XI

WHAT TO EXPECT

Perhaps the most complex question of the Italian preseason was what to expect from Inter. The Suning Group’s ultimate and unchangeable financial crisis meant that a sacrifice would have to be made. When Achraf Hakimi left for Paris Saint-Germain for a substantial amount, fans of the Nerazzurri hoped the major exits were over. After all, Beppe Marotta said that if they could recoup €80m net from sales and 10% of the wage bill, then they would be safe.

This looked possible and the fans seemed to understand until Romelu Lukaku was sold to Chelsea out of the blue. The following panic was at least calmed as there was no fire sale and the purchases of Edin Dzeko and Joaquin Correra have eased the worries, especially as Inter have won two out of two. Champions League qualification is the new goal, whilst the ownership of the club hangs heavy.

COACH – SIMONE INZAGHI

Simone Inzaghi is possibly one of the most impressive coaches in Italy over the last few years. Economical, understanding, underrated and all of this under budget and with an attacking style.

Early signs are good; the ex-Lazio coach has started the campaign well with an easy win over Genoa. This game showed how his cavalier brand of football will take shape, however, they had to dig deep and battle with Hellas Verona. Even so, he showed at halftime that Inter still embody ‘Grinta’.

Inzaghi has a tough task on his hands with the budget and the ownership issues ahead. Inter could not have picked a better coach to guide them through these rough waters.

CAPTAIN – SAMIR HANDANOVIC

Samir Handanovic is a character who, in his later years, shouldn’t be divisive, but is. The Inter custodian is a throwback to the more traditional goalkeeping rulebook. He is solid, brave; he catches well from crosses and is a superlative shot-stopper. Add to this his penalty saving record and the incredible influence he has on the dressing room and there doesn’t seem to be much room for criticism.

So why are some fans not sold on the 37-year-old? The answer is easy: he is not a modern goalkeeper and he is poor with his footwork. This showed against Hellas, and it was not the first time. This season feels like his last and whilst he offers so much, his distribution will cost Inter points. He was an immense goalkeeper; time has now passed him by.

PLAYER TO WATCH – NICOLO BARELLA

Lothar Matthaus spoke in his usual self-confident style when he said that Nicolo Barella could be the closest thing to him at Inter since his departure. In fairness, had it not been for Diego Maradona, the world would have rated Matthaus as the best of his generation, so perhaps he knows best.

Tough tacking, incredible engine, an incomprehensible range of passing and his ability to score goals from all angles suggests that Barella is getting close to Matthaus’ level. He is a diamond that could have been polished by Antonio Conte and Suning but instead is set to be nurtured by Inzaghi. This is not a bad situation; he may become a more sleek and beautiful gem in the end.