Well-organized and committed to coach Simone Inzaghi's game plan, Inter narrowed the significant resource gap to reach the final in Istanbul and come close to winning their fourth European title. But the Italian team missed their chance. Wealthy Manchester City won the Champions League title that their Abu Dhabi (UAE) owners had long coveted through player investment and bringing in one of the best coaches, Pep Guardiola.
Having lost the Champions League final, coach Simone Inzaghi will face many difficulties due to Inter's financial problems.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi stated: "The players have gained experience and we will try to do it again. In the last 20 months, we have played three finals and a Champions League final... If you are used to playing this kind of game, then that can only be a good thing."
Although Inter may be a big club that regularly attracts over 70,000 fans at San Siro, they cannot compete financially with the top teams in the Premier League.
Deep in debt
A massive debt threatens the club that won Serie A two years ago. Chinese owner Suning needs to repay an emergency loan of €275 million. This loan, taken out two years ago from investment fund Oaktree Capital, reportedly has an interest rate of 10%. The loan must be fully repaid within one year, otherwise Inter could be acquired by Oaktree in a similar way to how Elliott Capital gained control of AC Milan from Chinese businessman Li Yonghong in 2018.
Martinez (left) was unable to help Inter win the Champions League.
Last season, Inter lost €140 million, a year after a record loss of €245.6 million due to stadium closures caused by the pandemic. Inter's qualification for the Champions League final will certainly help this year financially, but the challenges remain.
They were almost certainly unable to have their own stadium after plans to build a new San Siro failed, and they simply couldn't do anything about the ever-widening gap in television rights revenue.
Serie A clubs earned just over €1 billion from domestic and international broadcasting rights last season, only one-tenth of what the Premier League earned.
Inter (in dark blue) had a pretty good final match.
Leaving this summer is Milan Skriniar, the former Inter captain. Playing in Skriniar's place in last weekend's Champions League final was Francesco Acerbi, who had a superb performance alongside the equally impressive Alessandro Bastoni and Matteo Darmian, but who is now 35 years old.
Inter have yet to reach an agreement to extend Romelu Lukaku's loan spell from Chelsea. If he returns to England, Inter will only have Edin Dzeko and the out-of-form Joaquin Correa to partner Lautaro Martinez in attack. Dzeko is 37 years old and his contract expires at the end of this month, and he is reportedly a target for Fenerbahce. However, Inzaghi is almost certain to exclude Dzeko from the starting lineup next season. Inter's financial problems will not disappear anytime soon and will hinder their ability to build towards their goals for next season.
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