Inter return to debt-ridden reality after Champions League disappointment

Well-organised and committed to coach Simone Inzaghi’s game plan, Inter closed a huge gap in resources to reach the final in Istanbul and come within a whisker of a fourth European title. But the Italians missed out. Rich Manchester City secured the Champions League title their Abu Dhabi (UAE) owners had long coveted, through investment in players and the signing of one of the world’s best coaches, Pep Guardiola.

Losing the Champions League final, coach Simone Inzaghi will face many difficulties due to Inter's financial problems.

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said: "The players have gained experience and we will try to do it again. In the last 20 months we have played three finals and one Champions League final... If you get used to playing this type of game it can only be a good thing."

While Inter may be a big club that regularly attracts crowds of over 70,000 at the San Siro, they cannot compete financially with the Premier League's top teams.

Deep in debt

A huge debt burden threatens the club that won Serie A two years ago. Chinese owners Suning need to repay an emergency €275 million loan, taken out two years ago from investment fund Oaktree Capital at a reported 10% interest rate. The loan must be repaid in full within a year or Inter could be taken over by Oaktree in a similar way to how Elliott took control of AC Milan from Chinese businessman Li Yonghong in 2018.

Martinez (left) could not 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 due to the pandemic. Inter’s run to the Champions League final will certainly help this year’s finances, but the difficulties remain.

They are virtually out of the question of owning their own stadium after plans to build a new San Siro fell through and there is simply nothing they can do about the widening gap in TV rights revenue.

Serie A clubs earned just over €1 billion from domestic and foreign rights last season, a tenth of the Premier League's total.

Inter (dark blue shirt) had a pretty good final

Leaving this summer is Milan Skriniar, the former Inter captain. He was replaced in last weekend's Champions League final by Francesco Acerbi, who had a fine performance alongside the equally impressive Alessandro Bastoni and Matteo Darmian, but is 35.

Inter have yet to agree an extension to Romelu Lukaku's loan deal 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 and out of contract at the end of this month and is reportedly a target for Fenerbahce. But Inzaghi is all but certain to leave Dzeko out of the starting line-up next season. The financial problems that have plagued Inter are unlikely to go away any time soon and will hamper their chances of building towards their goals for next season.

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