Inter in Crisis: The Fight Against Relegation

Inter entered the final stretch of the Brasileirão in 18th place, with 25 points from 25 rounds, following its Copa do Brasil elimination against Grêmio. Pressure on head coach Paulo Pezzolano has mounted, as the manager has yet to win in the Brasileirão in the second half of the year and has recorded just one victory since the season resumed.

What changed at Inter

The Copa do Brasil elimination, a 3-1 defeat to Grêmio, removed a distraction for the club, but it also left Inter with only one win in the latest stage of the season. President Alessandro Barcellos apologized to supporters and confirmed that Pezzolano's stay is guaranteed only until the match against Santos on July 6 at the Beira-Rio.

Immediate reaction and point targets

To avoid relegation, Inter must collect 20 points across the remaining 13 rounds, reaching the 45-point mark historically associated with securing top-flight safety in Série A. The president stated that the situation is extremely difficult and that the club needs to reorganize and rally together.

Potential managerial replacements

Behind the scenes, the board has already evaluated alternatives for the technical command should Pezzolano fail to turn the situation around. Dunga, former head coach of the Brazilian national team, has emerged as the frontrunner among political allies and members of Inter's management. Lisca's name was also mentioned as a secondary alternative, owing to his close ties with technical coordinator Abel Braga.

Additional challenges

Inter faces not only a sporting crisis, but also technical limitations in the squad, signs of an aging roster, and financial difficulties that prevent the club from meeting commitments to players. These issues increase the pressure on Pezzolano and complicate the task of turning things around for the rest of the campaign.

The next fixture

The match against Santos, scheduled for July 6, is considered a six-pointer. Pezzolano will serve a suspension due to his third yellow card and will not be in the dugout. Assistant coach Esteban Conde, who has previously managed Inter in three matches as an interim, is expected to step in as his replacement.

Conclusion

Inter is at a critical juncture: its elimination from the Copa do Brasil and drop to 18th place leave the club in the relegation zone, with just 25 points from 25 matches. President Alessandro Barcellos guaranteed Paulo Pezzolano's stay only until the clash with Santos, while the board evaluates the possibility of hiring Dunga or Lisca in the event of another defeat. The club needs to collect 20 points in the remaining 13 rounds to avoid relegation, but faces added challenges, such as squad limitations and financial troubles.

With information from ge, NSC Total, Correio do Povo.