Ex Arsenal Star Finds His Niche At Inter Milan With Champions League Goal

Forward Alexis Sanchez looks to have found his niche at Inter Milan with his goal against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.

This is the suggestion of today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

When Sanchez re-joined Inter during the summer transfer window, it always looked clear that he was being brought back as a backup option rather than a starter.

There was little doubt that Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram would be the two players to be first-choice in attack.

But, the Gazzetta notes, Sanchez always seemed to be aware of this fact.

During the Chilean’s first spell at Inter, that backup role had sometimes caused problems.

Particularly during the 2021-22 season, Sanchez didn’t hide his discontent with his playing time. He grumbled about it on social media during his last campaign at Inter before this one.

Alexis Sanchez Finds Niche At Inter With Champions League Goal

But with a little more experience and perspective, Sanchez decided to return to Inter for some unfinished business.

The former Arsenal, Manchester United, and Barcelona veteran has come in to give the team some real quality and experience behind the starting pair of Martinez and Thuram.

At first, there were questions about whether Sanchez could give Inter even that. His fitness early on in the season meant that his contributions were muted.

But yesterday against Salzburg, Sanchez showed exactly what he can still give Inter.

The 34-year-old started in place of Thuram. This was a priceless opportunity for the Frenchman to get a rest.

And in a match where three points were vital to keep qualification for the knockout rounds on track, Sanchez gave the kind of performance that proved that even without Thuram in the team, the quality is not going to drop too much.

The highlight was certainly Sanchez’s goal.

The Chilean broke the deadlock in the first half.

But there was more to Sanchez’s performance than just his goal.

For perhaps the first time since re-joining Inter, the veteran forward truly looked like himself. He buzzed around, looking hungry and energetic both with and without the ball.

Inter will know full well that they’re not getting these kinds of performances once or twice a week from Sanchez. And Sanchez will know that he is not going to have the chance to shine in every match like that.

But neither expect otherwise. Inter look to have gotten exactly the contribution they want from Sanchez, and the Chilean is finally comfortable settling into his new niche.