Having lost out by a single goal at the Ataturk Stadium, Inter Milan's dreams of defying the odds to win the Champions League ultimately ended in heartbreaking circumstances on Saturday.
Though Simone Inzaghi's side struck the crossbar and had several other near-misses after going behind to Manchester City, they were left to reflect on what might have been following a spirited showing against the Premier League champions.
While the Nerazzurri trailed in far behind Scudetto-winners Napoli in Serie A this season, they managed to eliminate Barcelona and city rivals Milan en route to a first Champions League final since Jose Mourinho's treble-winners of 2010 swept all before them; two domestic cups were also secured earlier this year.
So, now that a rollercoaster 2022-23 campaign has reached its dramatic conclusion, Sports Mole considers what could come next for Inter.
MONEY MATTERS
Beaten by one of Europe's richest clubs in Saturday's season finale, Inter's prospects of significant investment in order to close the gap - which was perhaps narrower than many pundits had suggested - are slim.
After lavishing millions on transfers at the start of its ownership stint, Chinese company Suning has pulled in the purse strings since Antonio Conte departed while muttering darkly about a lack of support for his plans to progress. Simone Inzaghi has since proved, though, what was possible even when working with a more modest budget.
That is just as well, because San Siro - or Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, to give the grand old stadium its proper title - must be rebuilt after the Milan clubs' new stadium project faltered.
Many believed moving to a new home - either shared between the pair or at two separate venues - was essential for both Inter and Milan to keep pace with other European contenders; for example, Tottenham Hotspur's matchday income is said to be almost three times larger.
In 2021, a major loan was required to keep Inter's finances stable and the Chinese government intervened to clear growing debt. Inter also fell foul of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules last year due to transfer spending, receiving a fine and a warning.
Suning says it would welcome new investment, and Inter president Stephen Zhang - who was involved in the ill-fated European Super League plot of 2021 - has not convinced fans that the future of their club is in the safest of hands.
MOVING ON?
Against such a backdrop, more player sales could occur this summer, following departures for Achraf Hakimi, Romelu Lukaku (at least temporarily) and high wage-earners such as Ivan Perisic and Christian Eriksen since Conte's team won the 2020-21 Serie A title.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana excelled in Istanbul and has been the source of transfer rumours in recent weeks, with the 27-year-old reportedly becoming a target for Chelsea and Manchester United as both English clubs search for a new number one.
Inter may not be able to turn down a substantial offer for Onana, who arrived from Ajax last summer on a free transfer and subsequently succeeded club captain Samir Handanovic as Inzaghi's first choice between the posts - the Nerazzurri may cash in should £50 million appear on the table.
Despite protracted attempts to tie him down to a new contract, Milan Skriniar is definitely leaving San Siro, with Paris Saint-Germain the Slovakian centre-back's destination.
Dutch wing-back Denzel Dumfries and star striker Lautaro Martinez represent two more saleable assets, though if the latter was to leave, Inter's fanbase would surely revolt - 'El Toro' is their top scorer and the beating heart of Inzaghi's attack.
Alessandro Bastoni would also fetch a fine sum, but having often stated his allegiance to the cause, the Italy defender's departure is even less likely.
Several squad players, such as Roberto Gagliardini and Stefan de Vrij, may be moved on though, and doubts remain over Lukaku extending his loan deal - a permanent transfer is out of the question. Certainly, Saturday's events in Istanbul may not have helped the striker's aim of remaining in Milan.
CUT-PRICE ARRIVALS
While a fire-sale is not in prospect, should any of their stars leave over the coming weeks, Inter apparently have several more modest replacements lined up.
Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has stood out in Serie A this season and could take Onana's place if the Cameroonian departs for England.
Meanwhile, Nacho Fernandez and Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah are supposedly among those under consideration to step into Skriniar's shoes. At least losing his one-time defensive rock should not prove such a problem for Simone Inzaghi, as his all-Italian trio at the back have held up well during a fine run of form to end the season.
If Robin Gosens is poached, having been beaten to a regular place on the left flank by boyhood Inter fan Federico Dimarco, then Monza's goalscoring wing-back Carlos Augusto leads the list of potential replacements.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Franck Kessie or Davide Frattesi may cost more, but any would bolster an ageing midfield, while Italy striker Mateo Retegui is a cut-price alternative to funding another expensive loan for Lukaku.
INVINCIBLE INZAGHI?
A year after letting the Scudetto slip into the hands of Milan, Simone Inzaghi led Inter to a third-place finish in Serie A this month, but a total of 12 league losses brought fierce criticism from fans and media alike.
However, taking his team to the Champions League final continues a story of excellence in cup competitions for the ex-Lazio coach, who has won four trophies already since succeeding Antonio Conte in 2021.
Events on the road to Istanbul - and Inter's excellent performance on the grandest stage - mean his position is undoubtedly strengthened, even if his winning streak in finals has now ended after seven straight successes previously.
A thoughtful figure away from the pitch but a bellowing, energetic presence on the touchline, Inzaghi set the bar high in the immediate aftermath of defeat to Manchester City by saying Inter "will be back here again in the future."
There is no doubt his tactical plan neutralised Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side to a large extent, with the unlikely trio of Matteo Darmian, Alessandro Bastoni and Inzaghi favourite Francesco Acerbi keeping Erling Haaland quiet for 90 minutes - even if it was ultimately all in vain.
Settled in their renowned 3-5-2 structure, first laid down by Conte, the Nerazzurri have also demonstrated great reserves of spirit and determination during the last few months.
Therefore, Inzaghi - who is under contract until June of next year - is expected to defy those who had called for his head and sign a fresh deal over the summer.
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR INTER IN 2023-24?
No matter the make-up of Inzaghi's squad for next term, there is no doubt Inter must sustain a Scudetto challenge in the 2023-24 campaign.
As four different teams have taken the Italian title over the past four years, the door is wide open to succeed Napoli, who will have to rebuild under a new coach and in the face of inevitable changes to personnel.
Milan's transfer strategy is in disarray after a series of failures last summer and Paolo Maldini's recent firing, while Juventus seemingly cannot escape crisis and both Rome clubs may still be short of what it takes to top the table.
Making the Champions League knockout stage is now an expectation too, so for all his achievements in winning both the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in successive seasons - and against such an unstable backdrop - Inzaghi cannot rest on his laurels. body check tags ::
