After entering the 2025/26 season with hopes of winning Serie A outright, Inter Milan have failed to live up to the hype.

Inter Milan opened its season with a 5-0 victory over Torino, but things went south soon after.

Their second match was a stunning loss to Udinese at home, followed by a close loss to Juventus. While the season is still in the very early stages, the club has given us plenty of reason to second-guess their chances this season.

While Internazionale has some easier league matches coming up on the schedule, their pair of early losses makes it crucial that they capitalize if they want to stay in the Serie A race. 

Second Half Collapses Cause Concern

In the loss to Udinese, Inter started strong when Denzel Dumfries found the back of the net in the 17th minute. While Udinese drew even 12 minutes later, they did so on a penalty kick. It still felt like Inter was in control, but that changed when they allowed a second goal in the 40th minute. The team seemed lost after going down, failing to score another goal.

That loss was made worse after the club’s defeat to Juventus. While the 4-3 final doesn’t seem bad, the match was lost due to allowing two goals after the 80th minute. That led to a three-point swing in the standings and added a key loss for Inter early in the season.

Two games don’t constitute a trend, but a couple more second-half losses would. It’s a problem that can be fixed on paper, but this kind of trend can weigh on players.

It sits in the back of their minds late in matches, leading to a desperation that can cause mistakes. We aren’t suggesting that mental scarring is affecting Inter’s squad, but that could soon change if the club’s struggles continue much longer. 

Sportsbooks Keep Inter Milan as a Betting Favorite

As bad as the last two Serie A matches have been, there is plenty of reason not to panic. Not only is the season just beginning, but we’re also aware of the talent level Inter possesses. That showed in the last two matches, despite the second-half collapse. 

You don’t have to take our word for it, as the sports betting industry agrees. Most online betting sites still have Inter Milan as a top-three favorite, not far behind last season’s champions, Napoli. While odds aren’t just set based on a bookmaker’s own predictions, those do play a significant role.

The other factor that goes into betting odds is public money. That means sportsbooks will move them depending on which side they is receiving the majority of wagers. This suggests that many bettors are still wagering on the club to win big.

Will World Cup Fatigue Hurt Inter Milan?

One reason we are focusing on this early stumble is that this season will be different from others. That’s because the 2026 World Cup is taking place in North America this season. That means players will be spending more time with their national teams qualifying and preparing for the sport’s most prestigious tournament. 

Inter has a ton of talented players on their roster, which is why they remain a favorite to win Serie A this season. However, it also means many of them will be playing for their respective national teams. The season schedule is built around these windows, but those players will be playing for more minutes at a very high level.

This takes a physical toll but can also affect the mentality of players. Given the pride of playing for a national team in the World Cup, many could have their minds on that as the tournament comes closer. Whether intentionally or not, it could also lead them to play more conservatively, ensuring their health for the summer.

It is also worth mentioning that several of Inter’s players are also playing with Italy’s national team. The once great program has failed to make the last two World Cups, and they are in danger of missing again this summer. If they do, don’t be surprised if the players involved suffer a massive blow to their confidence just as Inter needs them most.