Football, You Magnificent Brute
- by Max Seidenfaden
- 3 Min
The captivating allure of football, never ceasing to amaze us - Football often radiates a captivating allure, isn't it?
Some football matches will transcend history, remembered for generations. The 1970 World Cup semi-final between Italy and Germany, or Germany's World Cup victory in 2014, come to mind. The Champions League semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona in 2022 brought us another unforgettable match. Both teams offered opposing playing philosophies, demonstrating the power and beauty of football.
On one side, Inter Milan, an aged team, with half the players eligible for retirement in other countries. But in Italy, they've found the elixir of life. Consider a 37-year-old center back running like someone half his age, or a 36-year-old goalkeeper delivering a career-defining performance after being discarded in the Bundesliga.
On the other end, a revitalized team led by a German coach, swimming in talents. Hamburg Flick has molded an electrifying squad from a group of gifted players. Kids like 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, a prodigy with unlimited potential, drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi. A team captained by 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi, who conceded a penalty but demonstrated maturity beyond his years.
Don't have to love football, some may argue in today's world. The corruption, scandals, oversized tournaments, everything makes it hard to enjoy. Yet, for 120 minutes, we set aside all the filth of the sports world. The suspense, the emotions, the thrill, and the heartache—it was all there.
The Ugly Side of Football, Temporarily Overshadowed
The match between Inter Milan and Barcelona was not free from controversy, however. Oaktree took over Inter Milan last year, after the previous owner couldn't pay off debts amounting to approximately $400 million to the U.S. investment company. Rumors swirled about Oaktree wanting to sell Inter for a reported €2 billion. A cold, harsh truth in today's sports landscape.
Barcelona faced a similar crisis, their debt surpassing the capacity of their own stadium. President Joan Laporta estimated the club's net debt to be around 560 million euros, with total short- and long-term liabilities reaching 2.626 billion euros.
For those 120 minutes of football, it was a masterpiece. The drama, the excitement, the heartbreak, and the triumph—it was all there. Now that it's over, though, we can't help but remember the harsh reality of the sports world. But that doesn't change the fact that for those moments, all we had was football.
- Inter Milan
- FC Barcelona
- FIFA
- Champions League
Insights:
- Inter Milan's smart spending and efficient squad-building contributed to reaching the UEFA Champions League final twice in three seasons. They spent around €291.3 million on their current players, while clubs like PSG outspent them by approximately €409 million[1]. Inter's prize money income from the Champions League alone in the 2021/22 season amounts to €72.3 million, not including additional revenues from sponsorships and commercial activities[2].
- FC Barcelona has been on a path of financial recovery since reducing its net debt by 12% between June 2021 and June 2024[3]. The club reduced their sports salary bill by €90 million for the 2024/25 season compared to the 2020/21 season, without affecting their competitive strength[3] to meet Financial Fair Play regulations. Operating expenses increased by 12.9%, yet remained considerably lower than the inflation rate (18.9%) for the same period[3]. Barcelona’s economic strategy balances competitiveness with fiscal stability, boosting their financial viability while preserving the traditional club ownership model[3].
Footnotes:
- transfermarkt statistics
- UEFA Champions League prize money, 2021/2022
- Barcelona’s financial recovery and compliance with FFP rules
- Inter Milan's financial management and FFP compliance
- Sports-analysis reveals that Inter Milan, despite having an aged team, managed to defy the odds in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, with their smart spending and efficient squad-building contributing to reaching the final twice in three seasons.
- Amidst the controversy surrounding the ownership of Inter Milan and Barcelona, the beauty of football was undeniably showcased in the Champions League semi-final, with both teams offering opposing playing philosophies in a masterful display of skill and strategy.
