Italian journalist Ivan Zazzaroni believes that even if Inter make the Champions League final, their season could still be an absolute disaster if they fail to finish in the top four in the Serie A table.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Radio DeeJay, via FCInterNews, the journalist joked that with a fifth place finish in the league, an enormous amount in revenues would be “up in smoke” for the Nerazzurri.
In the Champions League, Inter have already perhaps made it further than they’ll have ever expected to, particularly when they were handed a group stage draw which saw them pitted against Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Moreover, the potential path to the final, starting with Benfica tomorrow and then, if they progress against the Portuguese league leaders, against one of AC Milan or Napoli, is perhaps easier than if they had to face a team like Manchester City or Bayern Munich.
Accordingly, Inter could be feeling that they have reason to dream in Europe, although even if they are to make the final, it would be an immense challenge to actually win whichever team makes it past the other side of the bracket.
Moreover, as Zazzaroni, if Inter were to lose the final and as such fail to guarantee themselves a spot in next season’s Champions League, and also fail to secure the spot via a top four finish in the league, then the team would really start to have problems.
“I think Inter have a real opportunity to reach the final,” the journalist argued, “they’re the favourite to do so among the Italian teams.”
“But then if they lose the final and also finish fifth in the league?” Zazzaroni posed as a possible scenario.
“Then €70 million or €80 million would be up in smoke,” he highlighted of the financial stakes for the Nerazzurri.
