Can Topalovic become a regular rotation player next season in 10 minutes of his debut

2024/25 season round 38: Como 0:2 Inter Milan, Devri + Correa scored

The 2024/25 season Serie A has ended. Inter Milan defeated Como two away goals in the last league, still 1 point behind Naples, missing the defending Serie A championship. After a difficult and long season, in the last game, Topalovic played 10 minutes on the bench, becoming the only record for youth team players to play in the first team throughout the season!

Topalović No. 53

Inter Milan signed Slovenian 18-year-old midfielder Luka Topalović for a base transfer fee of less than €1 million in the summer transfer window, beating several European clubs including Atlanta for competition. The contract also includes the second transfer share clause, showing Inter Milan's emphasis on its long-term potential.

Topalovic was born in Slovenia. Due to his parents' nationality and other reasons, he has the opportunity to compete on behalf of Slovenia, Bosnia, or Croatia's national team!

Topalovic played for Domzale Club in the Slovenian League, contributing 2 goals and 3 assists in a single season, demonstrating the comprehensiveness of an offensive midfielder. His joining is part of Oak Capital's "low-cost, high-potential" signing strategy after entering Inter Milan in the summer of 2024, aiming to balance the depth of the lineup with financial pressure by tapping young talents! Analysis of technical characteristics of Topalovic

1. Offensive creativity and multifacetedness

Topalovic plays as an offensive midfielder and has both winger attributes. His penetrating pass ability is particularly outstanding, showing accurate straightening and threatening ball delivery many times in friendly matches, and is hailed by the media as "the next de Bruyne". He has delicate skills under his feet, is good at tearing open the defense line through short passes, and has certain dribbling breakthrough capabilities, and is able to create threats in the midfield and wing. This season, Topalovic contributed 12 goals and 1 assist in the Inter Milan youth team, and his report card was amazing!

2. Tactical adaptability and position diversity

Topalovic is competent for multiple positions in front midfielder, central advanceer and winger. This multi-faceted nature is in line with Inter Milan's tactical system. Inzagi Jr.'s 3-5-2 formation emphasizes the linkage between wingbacks and midfielders, and Topalovic's running coverage and pass-cut ability help enrich the offensive level. In addition, his defensive contribution (1.2 steals per game) in the Slovenian League shows that he has a certain sense of defensiveness and is suitable for the needs of high-intensity confrontations in Serie A.

3. Settings and long-range potential

Although not fully demonstrated in official matches, Topalovic tried long-range shots and participated in set pieces tactics many times in youth and friendly matches. Its technical characteristics complement the set-piece ability of Inter Milan's midfield core Cialhanolu, and may become a supplementary point for the team's tactics in the future. However, there is still a need to improve vigorously in terms of passing sophistication and organization!

Inter Milan regrets that it has failed to defend the Serie A champion

Topalovic's development prospects assessment

1. Short-term positioning: The youth training system is connected with the first team

Topalovic still needs to accumulate experience through reserve team competitions. Inter Milan's first-team midfield competition is fierce, with players such as Cialhanoglu, Barrera, Mkhitaryan occupying the main position. In the short term, Topalovic is more likely to appear as a substitute or a cup rotation. However, Inzaghi, Xiao has tried to promote many players from the youth team to the first team training in the 2024/25 season, including many main players of the youth team. However, in the end, Topalovic became the luckiest person and made his debut in the final game of the league, which also gave a good start to next season!

2. Long-term potential: core midfielder or rent-out training

However, over the years, no player in Inter Milan's youth training system can directly enter the first team from the youth team. If Topalovic can improve his confrontational ability and tactical execution in the next 2-3 years, he may gradually become the main midfielder rotation. Referring to the development path of Satriano (excellent performance after loaning to Brest), and Sebastian Esposito (second-in-law), it is also a feasible option to accumulate practical experience from mid- and lower-level teams in Serie A or European Division II.

Five youth team players recruited by Inzagi Jr.: (from left to right) Depieri, Topalovic, Berenbruch, Corgi, Alexu

• Giacomo Depieri (center)

• Luka Topalovic (offensive midfielder)

• Thomas Berenbruch (back midfielder)

• Matteo Corgi (left wingback)

• Cristo Alexu (center)

3. Risks and Challenges

- Disadvantages of physical confrontation: Topalovic is 188 cm tall, which is much taller than the current Inter Milan midfielders Barrera, Cialhanoglu, and Mkhitaryan are 175 cm tall, and it is difficult to get faster. In the Serie A high-confrontation environment, it may face more defensive restrictions, and technical training and core strength training are needed. However, young players can imitate Milinkovic. Inzaghi likes midfielders with physical fitness the most, so he is not afraid of those strong teams showing off their muscle impact. Perhaps it is an important means for Inter Milan to solve the midfield problem! Speaking of height, the other young players of the youth team are also good. The midfielder and captain Zancheta, who was also in 2006, was also 190 cm tall!

- Psychological stability: The fluctuations in performance of young players under the pressure of giants are common problems and need to be alleviated through psychological counseling and gradual integration.

- Tactical system matching: Inzaghi's pass control system requires players to have quick decision-making ability, and Topalovic needs to improve his running without the ball and defensive discipline.. However, starting this season, Inzaji began to gradually practice the 3421 system based on the 352 formation, set up two midfielders to protect the backcourt, and three attacking swords were fired at the same time, creating opportunities for more players to play!

Analysis of the possibility of entering the first team next season

1. Team lineup demand and rotation strategy

Inter Milan faces pressure on multi-line combat next season, especially the intensive schedule of the Champions League and Serie A. If Topalovic can continue his pre-season training, he may be included in the first team as a midfield rotation candidate. In addition, Inter Milan's forwards Correa and Arnautovic are destined to leave the team, and Taremi is very embarrassing; in the midfield, Mkhitaryan cannot maintain his condition as a result, and Carhanoglu is also in poor condition. Topalovic may provide energy to Inter Milan in offensive midfield, and may still be a bit lacking in being a back midfield. Fortunately, Inzaghi has tried to let Aslani and Carhanoglu play double midfield. Perhaps, Topalovic's offensive creativity will become an effective choice for Inzaghi in the future!

Inter Milan assistant coach Faris

2. Coach team trust and tactical test

Inzaghi not only arranged youth team players to train in the 2024/25 season, but in the first few seasons, but the game time was actually very limited. Even if he won the championship five rounds in advance in the 2023/24 season, he did not use young players. This is also a point that has been criticized, which is completely incomparable to the performance of promoting young players during Lazio.

Topalovic's technical characteristics are in line with his tactical idea of ​​"wicket drive + set piece breaking", especially at the winger or midfield position, which may win opportunities for him.

3. Competitors and loan possibility

If Inter Milan fails to introduce an instant midfielder in the summer window, the probability of Topalovic playing in the first team will increase significantly. On the contrary, if the team chooses to rent out, leagues such as Serie B or Eredivisie are more suitable for their growth.

Summary

Topalovic's joining last year reflected Inter Milan's strategic direction of "youth training + cost-effective signing". Its comprehensive technicality and offensive talent have injected vitality into the team, but in the short term, it is necessary to overcome the shortcomings of physical confrontation and insufficient experience.

The possibility of entering the first team next season depends on pre-season preparation performance and team tactical needs. It is expected that it will accumulate experience in the cup and bench first, and may become an important rotation in the midfield or return after leveling out of the loan in the next 2-3 years. If the development goes well, he is expected to follow the growth trajectory of Dimarco and Bastoni, or follow the footsteps of Esposito's second and third brothers. Even if he cannot stay in the team, he will become a player other teams are competing for, and another successful case of Inter Milan's localization strategy.

In fact, not only Topalovic, but also other youth team players are also facing the choice of the first team. I hope that Inzagi can tap the potential of youth team players. After all, Mourinho can discover wherever he goes, the youth team players can enter the first team. There are often thousands of horses, but there are not often mentors!