The Nerazzurri derby between Brozovic and Lukaku takes place in Qatar. But the other Inter fans disappoint at the World Cup

This afternoon for Inter fans at World Cup in Qatar a small derby will take place. Croatia versus Belgium. Brozovich versus Lukaku. Two players returned from muscle injuries in time for Qatar. In Lukaku’s case, two games late. The Croatian is playing well, he is central to coach Dalic’s project and seems to have recovered his full physical form. The Belgian, who should finally start as a starter, is increasingly a leader in his national team, as evidenced by the role of peacemaker he would have played in the quarrel that broke out in the locker room after the match against Morocco.

From Onana to De Vrij the flops of the Nerazzurri expedition

Not all the Inter players called up by their coaches to the World Cup in Qatar have had the same luck as Brozovic. On the contrary. De Vrij is working on the bench, given that Timber, van Dijk and Aké are on the field in the Dutch defense. His teammate Dumfries, while starting, is not shining. And for him the rumors of a possible sale by Inter in January are rekindled, perhaps in the Premier League. Goalkeeper Onana, en route with coach Song, packed his bags leaving his Cameroon and the World Cup. As for Lautaro, the Argentine coach Scaloni decided to prefer Julian Alvarez against Poland, who scored immediately. A choice shared with Leo Messi, according to what the Argentine press writes.

Inzaghi’s mission: to re-motivate those who are disappointing

The non-exciting performance of the players involved in the World Cup, Brozovic aside, could lead to some headaches for the Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi and the club. Onana has proven to be a hothead, or at least could become one. Lautaro, decisive in conquering the Copa America in Brazil, could lose confidence now that another teammate plays his role in the national team. The same goes for De Vrij, to whom Acerbi has often been preferred even at Inter, and to a lesser extent for Dumfries, who is playing at least in the orange jersey. As for Lukaku, “the important thing is that he doesn’t get hurt”, as they repeat a thousand times at Inter, where they have seen him play very little this season.

Open questions: from the renewal of Skriniar to the sponsors

The average lackluster performance of the players sent to Doha adds up to a series of other issues that Inzaghi and the managers will have to address in January, when the championship resumes. First of all, the never-ending story of Skriniar’s contract renewal, which is still awaited. On this point, Beppe Marotta has publicly said he is confident, but no signatures have yet been seen. One question therefore remains to be resolved. Then there is the Gosens issue: in the Nerazzurri the German is Dimarco’s backup, which is why he missed qualifying for the World Cup and the clubs in half of the Bundesliga like him. Finally, away from the field, the question of sponsors looms: Digitalbits, whose name is still printed on the first team shirts, does not pay. A replacement needs to be found asap.