Despite a relatively underwhelming Serie A campaign, it was a mostly positive season for Simone Inzaghi’s Inter. The 47-year-old cemented his status as a cup specialist by lifting the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup for the second season running. But more importantly, he led the club towards its first Champions League final in 13 years.
At the end of the day, the former Lazio tactician couldn’t replicate José Mourinho’s feat and clinch football’s most prestigious club competition. Yet, the Nerazzurri earned major props for normalizing Pep Guardiola’s marauding Manchester City in a valiant effort that only lacked better finishing.
So with the 2022/23 campaign reaching its expiry date, it’s time to recognize the Tops and Flops at Inter based on their displays throughout the season.
Flop #3: Robin Gosens
While it wasn’t a disastrous season for the German by any means, Robin Gosens still fell off the mark in his attempt to fill the void left by Ivan Perisic on the left flank.
Luckily for the Beneamata, they had another left wingback who rose to the occasion (we’ll get to that in a short while), but the 28-year-old is still unable to recapture the magical form that sparked his transfer from Atalanta to Inter in January 2022. He spent the majority of his campaign serving as a backup.
So if Gosens ends up leaving Inter in the summer, then he’ll surely go down in the club’s archives as a consensus flop.
Top #3: Federico Dimarco
Speaking of left wingbacks, here’s one who enjoyed a splendid campaign at the Giuseppe Meazza. As a matter of fact, Federico Dimarco’s exploits have certainly complicated the situation for Gosens who was never going to usurp the superb Italian international in the pecking order, especially not in a campaign where the latter hit his stride.
With six goals and ten assists, the 25-year-old established himself as one of the most menacing fullbacks in Italian football, and possibly in Europe.
The Italian is simply unstoppable on his day, overwhelming his opponents with dangerous shots, exquisite crosses and breathtaking runs.
The fact that he spent his childhood attending the Giuseppe Meazza among the club’s Ultras is only the icing on the cake for the Beneamata supporters who have found themselves a new idol this season.
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Flop #2: Joaquin Correa
When Inzaghi first made the career step-up from Lazio to Inter in the summer of 2021, he must have been delighted to have Joaquin Correa accompanying him on the journey. But after two underwhelming seasons in Milano, the manager’s longtime pupil is possibly becoming a liability.
Now surely the lack of playing can take its toll on a player, but Inzaghi has been properly rotating his starting formation, making sure that the vast majority of his men are receiving a fair amount of chances.
So with only four goals and three assists across all competitions, the 28-year-old hardly contributed to the team’s success this season, as he continues to struggle for consistency while playing second-fiddle to Lautaro Martinez.
Flop to Top: Romelu Lukaku
Until April, Romelu Lukaku would have certainly landed high on the Flop list. Nonetheless, the Belgian giant picked up his game at the right time, enjoying a late revival. Undoubtedly, the comeback story would have been considerably more epic had it ended with a goal in the Champions League final, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
Regardless, Lukaku’s run served as a stern reminder of the player’s immense capabilities. After all, we’re talking about the same beast who terrorized Serie A defenses during his original stint at Inter en route towards a Scudetto title and an MVP award.
The Nerazzurri supporters will be hoping to have him around for next season as well.
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Top #2: André Onana
When André Onana first signed for Inter as a free agent, many fans and observers raised some concerns over the goalkeeper’s record, especially following a lengthy ban. Nevertheless, the former Ajax man made his talking on the pitch.
After starting his campaign as an understudy to club captain Samir Handanovic, the 27-year-old eventually earned his opportunity following a series of blunders from the aging Slovenian, and made the most of it.
The Cameroonian didn’t just consolidate his role as the club’s Number One, but also proved to be one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in Europe throughout the season. Onana’s heroics played an instrumental role in Inter’s memorable Champions League run.
Flop #1: Roberto Gagliardini
When Roberto Gagliardini first joined the Nerazzurri in January 2017, he was deemed to be one of the most exciting young prospects in Italian football. But six years afterwards, one might say that the Italian’s switch from Atalanta to Inter at such a tender age was ill-advised.
The young midfielder, who was once developing into a brilliant enforcer under the tutelage of Gian Piero Gasperini, had left the nest too soon.
Now at the age of 28, Gagliardini has descended into a mediocre player who proved to be a liability for his team on multiple occasions throughout the campaign.
Thankfully, the player and the club will part ways at the end of the season. But while Inter can always pick up a replacement who would likely be an upgrade, it might be too late for Gagliardini to fulfill his initial promise.
Honorable Mention: Nicolò Barella
Before we announce the Top player at Inter in the 2022/23 season, several Nerazzurri stars deserve some recognition, and chief among them is Nicolò Barella.
The 26-year-old is arguably the best box-to-box midfielder in Serie A, never failing to offer his contributions on both ends of the pitch. This includes nine goals and 10 assists in all competitions.
But despite enjoying another prosperous campaign at Appiano Gentile, it just happened that three of his teammates performed even more admirably, at least in our own humble opinion.
Also kudos to the unyielding Francesco Acerbi, unsung hero Matteo Darmian and the ever-improving Hakan Calhanoglu who were all instrumental to the team’s success.
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Top #1: Lautaro Martinez
With all due respect to all Inter players mentioned above, the Top spot can only go to the club’s ultimate star, Lautaro Martinez.
Despite winning the World Cup, the striker’s performances in Qatar came under heavy scrutiny. But whenever he dons the black-and-blue jersey, the 26-year-old becomes a different beast.
With 28 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, Lautaro’s significance to Inter’s cause is undeniable while his paramount role cannot be emulated by any of his teammates.
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