The Secret Weapon Inter Milan Has: A Team Of Goalscorers, Not Individuals | OneFootball

Inter Milan have shown in 2024 that the team has a secret weapon, with emphasis being on team.

As we bid farewell to 2024, it’s time to set the record straight about Inter Milan’s journey through what has been a remarkably misunderstood season so far.

The analysis and chatter surrounding the Nerazzurri has been dominated by skepticism and criticism.

This is to be expected when you are the champions. But a closer examination reveals a story of strategic excellence both on and off the pitch.

Early Season Skepticism: A Misguided Narrative On Inter Milan

The media’s harsh scrutiny of Inter’s performance in the early months of the 2024-2025 season now appears premature at best.

Struggles against teams like Venezia and Torino raised eyebrows, concerns about defensive capabilities dominated headlines.

However, these proved to be mere growing pains in what has become a masterclass of team performance.

The Numbers Tell A Story Of Excellence

The current Serie A standings tells a story that sharply contradicts the early-season naysayers. Inter’s third-place position, achieved through a combination of tactical discipline and offensive firepower, demonstrates the team’s ability to consistently perform at the highest level.

What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is that it comes with a Serie A game in hand. Marcus Thuram’s emergence as Serie A’s top goal-scorers has been nothing short of remarkable.

His ability to find the back of the net consistently has not only silenced those who questioned his transfer.

But has also provided Inter with a reliable offensive threat that complements the team’s overall strategic approach.

His positioning, timing, and consistent finishing have made him an invaluable asset to the squad.

The distribution of scoring across fourteen different players this season represents a tactical masterpiece that few could have predicted.

Just in the match against Lazio, Inter scored 6 goals from six different players. A total of 40 goals scored in the first 15 matches.

This unprecedented spread of goal-scoring responsibility demonstrates not just depth. But also tactical flexibility that makes Inter unpredictable and dangerous.

Able to score from multiple positions on the field.

It’s a clear indication that the team has evolved beyond relying on individual talent to embrace a more team approach to attacking football.

Federico Dimarco’s evolution into a scoring wingback epitomizes the modern football philosophy that Inter has embraced.

His ability to contribute meaningfully to both defensive and offensive phases of play make him one of the most versatile defenders in world football.

His performances have redefined what it means to be a wingback in today’s game, combining Italian traditional defensive tactics with risk taking offensive contributions.

Inter Milan Champions League Prospects

Despite initial doubts about their European campaign, Inter has silenced critics by positioning themselves among the top two favorites for the Champions League trophy.

This achievement isn’t just about sporting glory, it represents a potential €100 million windfall. Which would further strengthen the club’s financial position. It may even help push the team’s valuation towards the ambitious 2 US$ billion mark.

The Corporate Revolution

Under Oaktree Capital’s LA-based leadership, Inter Milan has undergone a transformation that extends far beyond the pitch. The club has successfully married two seemingly disparate cultures:

1. Silicon Valley’s innovative startup mentality

2. Traditional football excellence in team management

While some traditionalists might protest for flashy transfers and extravagant spending, the current management’s approach to capital allocation has been nothing short of masterful.

They’ve demonstrated that sustainable success in modern football requires more than just opening the checkbook.

But that it demands strategic thinking and efficient resource management.

Looking Ahead

Inter Milan’s evolution represents more than just a football club adapting to modern times. It’s a case study in how traditional sporting institutions can transform themselves into forward-thinking corporations while maintaining their competitive edge.

The team’s current trajectory suggests significant value appreciation by season’s end, making them not just a sporting success but a business one as well.

The critics who questioned Inter’s approach in the early season must now reckon with the evidence before them.

This is a club that has found the sweet spot between sporting excellence and corporate efficiency, setting a new standard for what a modern football club can achieve.

Their ability to balance fiscal responsibility with competitive success has created a sustainable model that other clubs would do well to study and emulate.

The transformation of Inter Milan under its new ownership structure demonstrates that tradition and innovation need not be mutually exclusive.

By embracing modern corporate principles while respecting the club’s storied history, Inter has positioned itself not just for short-term success but for sustained excellence in the years to come.

As we enter the new year, the Nerazzurri stand as a shining example of how historical football institutions can evolve into modern sporting enterprises without losing their soul or competitive edge.

By: Andrea Zanon

Andrea Zanon is the co-founder of Confidente. He is an international advisor who has worked for financial institutions and entrepreneurs on sustainability, international affairs and development.