Inter Milan missing out on Europe – a blessing in disguise

Ever since winning the 2010 Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Madrid there has been a gradual decline the performances and the standards of the Nerazzurri. The difference in the starting line up from then and to the one now is startling. Many of the big name players like Samuel Eto’o, Wesley Snejider, Julio Cesar, Lucio and Maicon have left and have been replaced by relative unknowns who are looking to make their mark.

In addition, there have been five different managers in that time and there has been absolutely no stability at Inter. Andrea Stramaccioni is latest one to be hanging on to his job by a proverbial thread.

Finances too have been tight and the spectre of missing out on the Europe’s premier competition i.e. UEFA Champions League second year in a row has also come true. This would probably mean that there would be players moving out of the club as some would be moved on and some would want to move on to play in the Champions League.

A summer clear out is on the cards with those on mega bucks and the ones who are a bit too long in the tooth making way for young, hungry and with potential to come in to steady the ship. Just exactly who goes, stays and comes in depends on who the manager is and that in turn depends on what Moratti has in mind.

A season to rebuild then for the Biscione, who have finished 9th in the table and have even failed to qualify for the UEFA Europa league. This for the club like Inter Milan represents mediocrity at best.

In my opinion, it is a blessing in disguise that Inter have missed out on the Europa League. This would allow the club to take a step back and assess things, put things in perspective and coil themselves to have another assault on the league in about a couple of years time, therefore, qualifying for Champions League as a result. The Europa League would have put additional burden on a squad in terms of playing time, travel and what not. Sure, the club would miss out on some revenue but in the long run that I believe it would be helpful. A prime example of how it can be beneficial is the example of Juventus. The Bianconeri in 2008-09 after being knocked out of both UEFA competitions in by Munich and Fulham respectively, failed to qualify for any of UEFA competitions in the next two seasons. This allowed them to build a team that now, at least domestically looks invincible and good value in Europe. Inter could also look at city rivals Milan who have now rebuilt without the pleasant distractions of Europa League and look set to challenge for the Scudetto.

Not saying it would be bad for the team if they had qualified for the competition, but in my opinion it would be better if they focused solely on the league and then gradually move onwards and upwards and once again become La Beneamata.