Inter Milan are paying for some key players’ participation at EURO 2024 and the Copa America with their tired-looking form.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
This summer, the majority of Inter’s squad participated in international tournaments.
There was plenty of Nerazzurri representation at EURO 2024.
A total of five Inter players were a part of the Italy squad that reached the round of sixteen of the Euros.
And Nerazzurri goalkeeper Yann Sommer was the starting keeper for the Switzerland team that eliminated the Azzurri.
Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu captained Turkey to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
And Netherlands internationals Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij went as far as the semifinals.
That was the same stage that France reached, with Inter striker Marcus Thuram and defender Benjamin Pavard in tow.
Meanwhile, Inter midfielder Kristjan Asllani was a regular starter for Albania in the group stage. The same was true of summer signing Piotr Zielinski with Poland.
And then Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez lit up the Copa America. The 27-year-old was the tournament’s top scorer, including scoring the winner in the final as Argentina beat Colombia.
Inter Milan Stars Pay For Busy Summers With EURO 2024 & Copa America
Of course, it is a positive for Inter that so many of their players enjoyed positive summer tournaments.
The team have taken confidence from those exploits.
But at the same time, there is no hiding the disruptive effect that the Euros and the Copa America had on Inter’s preseason preparations.
The majority of the Nerazzurri squad arrived in training late due to their international commitments.
In the case of captain Martinez, the return didn’t come until a few days into August.
The captain’s case has been the most emphatic. With barely a week to prepare for the season, Martinez has been a long way from his best thus far.
But it hasn’t just been Martinez.
Many of the players who had been in action at the Euros have yet to truly find their groove.
And it seems apparent that a lack of proper rest and preparation has played a role in that.