Inter Milan Faces Challenges After Disappointing Champions League First Leg

omidbasir- Inter Milan’s Champions League play-off match in the Arctic Circle not only ended with a disappointing 3-1 first-leg deficit but also raised serious concerns regarding player safety. Reports from Gazzetta indicate that the Italian club was dissatisfied with the artificial surface at Aspmyra Stadion, where groundsmen faced challenges clearing significant amounts of snow, leading to an uneven pitch with hazardous dips and ridges.

Prior to the match, Inter expressed their concerns informally to UEFA delegates regarding the safety of their star players on the uneven synthetic grass. Unfortunately, their fears were realized in the 60th minute when captain Lautaro Martinez experienced sharp calf pain during play, necessitating an immediate substitution. His exit created a tactical gap that allowed the Norwegian hosts to score twice in rapid succession. The situation worsened for Inter as Piotr Zielinski also required medical evaluation after the physically demanding match.

The absence of Martinez is a critical setback for a team already missing key players Hakan Calhanoglu and Davide Frattesi. Inter perceives the injury to their captain as evidence that the pitch was unfit for a high-stakes international match, a situation they hope to bring to UEFA’s attention. Financially, the stakes are immense; failing to overturn the deficit in the second leg could result in a loss of approximately €11 million in qualification revenue, a significant concern for the club’s management.

While the result itself is disappointing, the sentiment within the Inter camp is predominantly focused on player welfare. The club believes that the potential for injury was foreseeable and that they were unfairly forced to compete on a surface that favored the local team, accustomed to the conditions. The atmosphere during the flight back to Malpensa was notably somber, with players preoccupied by the growing injury list.

As the focus shifts from the snowy terrain of Norway to UEFA’s administrative offices in Nyon, Inter is pushing for accountability. They are calling for a reevaluation of the standards for hosting knockout stage matches. With the second leg approaching, the team is determined to ensure that this ‘Bodo disaster’ does not overshadow their season, although the potential absence of their key captain complicates their comeback efforts.

Head coach Cristian Chivu addressed the media post-match, expressing both tactical disappointment and frustration over the playing conditions. He acknowledged, “Bodo/Glimt are more accustomed to this pitch, but that’s not an excuse,” while also expressing confidence in overcoming the deficit in the upcoming match in Italy. He noted that, with the score at 1-1, Inter had a crucial chance early in the second half that could have changed the game before conceding two goals shortly thereafter.

Martinez is scheduled for extensive diagnostic tests to assess the severity of his injury, and the club is deeply concerned about his availability moving forward, as his presence is pivotal for their ambitions in both domestic and European competitions. Chivu suggested that the striker might miss their next Serie A match against Lecce on Saturday, stating, “I think he’s injured and will be out for a while.”