Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is playing for a place in the Champions League final against Man City – as well as his future at Inter Milan.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.
Brozovic had come into this season as virtually Inter’s most indispensable player.
The Croat had signed a contract extension with the Nerazzurri until the end of June 2026 last spring. This was widely seen as a vital piece of business by the club.
Last campaign, Brozovic had been the element that made everything tick in midfield. Without him, things never quite looked the same.
However, this time around, circumstances have forced Inter to find a way to cope without Brozovic.
Simone Inzaghi reacted to a lengthy muscle injury suffered by the Croat by forming a new midfield trio, with Hakan Calhanoglu at the base.
The trio of Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Nicolo Barella has been first-choice in Inter’s biggest matches this season. Even when Brozovic has been fit.
Marcelo Brozovic Could Earn Place Against Man City
Now, Brozovic has a couple weeks to really force his way back into the picture for next month’s Champions League final against Manchester City.
Mkhitaryan is currently out injured. The Armenian former Roma and Arsenal midfielder is hoping to be back against City.
However, in the last three Serie A matches and the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina, there will be no Mkhitaryan.
This will mean more opportunities for Brozovic. The 30-year-old has a run of matches ahead of him in which he can reassert himself.
Depending on the fitness of Mkhitaryan, or irrespective of it, Brozovic could be first-choice when the final against City rolls around.
However, this would require an excellent run of matches from Brozovic. His coach Inzaghi will want to see vintage Brozovic in the next four matches.
Croatia World Cup Star Also Playing For Inter Milan Future
As Tuttosport notes, it’s not just a place against City in Istanbul that’s up for grabs for Brozovic.
The 30-year-old has also been persistently linked with a Nerazzurri exit.
If Brozovic is no longer seen as first-choice, Inter could look to cash in. Despite now being thirty, the midfielder could still fetch a sizable transfer fee.
Moreover, with Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, and also Kristjan Asllani also in the squad, Inter may not wish to have Brozovic’s wages of more than €6 million net per season on their books.
Already in January, there had been talks of a swap with Barcelona between Brozovic and Franck Kessie.
Whilst these talks came to nothing, they make clear that Brozovic is no longer “untouchable.”
If the Croat ends the season strongly and imposes himself in the Champions League final, the Nerazzurri may turn around. Then, Brozovic would surely be a player they’d think long and hard before selling.
On the other hand, Tuttosport suggests, if the Croat is not first-choice in Istanbul, his future would surely be in doubt.
