Inter Milan have ‘pulled the handbrake’ in Europe, Arrigo Sacchi says ahead of Borussia Dortmund showdown

Former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi has urged Internazionale to awaken from their European slumber as they seek to avoid an unprecedented fourth straight Champions League defeat.

Inter face Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday night with no more than a puncher’s chance of securing direct qualification for the last 16. With 12 points from seven matches, last season’s finalists are 14th in the league phase standings – a point adrift of the eight teams directly above them – going into the final round of games.

If Inter are to claim a top-eight finish, and therefore avoid a two-legged play-off round next month, they must secure a dominant victory – not easy against a Dortmund side that have lost just once in their past 21 European outings at home – and hope results elsewhere go their way.

It is a scenario that seemed scarcely imaginable in early November, when Cristian Chivu’s side sat third in the table with a perfect record of four straight wins. Now, after losing successive games against Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, and Arsenal, Inter are faced with the possibility of losing four straight games in the Champions League for the first time in their history.

While Sacchi acknowledged the quality of opposition Inter have faced, the former AC Milan manager also highlighted the contrast with Inter’s form in Serie A, where they are five points clear at the top of the table.

Arrigo Sacchi: ‘Inter Milan have pulled the handbrake in Europe’

“Inter, after a sparkling start, have pulled the handbrake,” the two-time European Cup winner told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Three defeats in their last three outings. Granted, they faced Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, and Arsenal. However, the Nerazzurri, finalists in last season’s competition, should already be operating at the level of those clubs. 

“In the league they have produced a fine comeback, overtaking their rivals and pulling clear. Meanwhile, in Europe, they have fallen a little asleep. In Dortmund, against Borussia, it won’t be a walk in the park. 

“But this is the right moment to raise their voice – also to prove they can follow the same path they took in 2025.”

On the eve of the match, Chivu offered a not dissimilar analysis. 

Inter ‘a bit behind’ in Champions League, says Cristian Chivu

“This is a different competition to Serie A, and we are a bit behind,” the Romanian told Sky Italia. “We had initially been doing better than expectations, then made life difficult for ourselves, and the situation now is not ideal.”

Inter will be without Nicolò Barella in Dortmund after the midfielder suffered a psoas muscle strain, while Hakan Calhanoglu, Denzel Dumfries and Raffaele Di Gennaro are also injured. Reports in Italy suggest Nerazzurri top scorer Lautaro Martínez, who is one booking away from a suspension, will start alongside Marcus Thuram.

“We will have the same mentality as always, stepping onto the pitch to win and to be dominant, then at the final whistle we’ll see where we are,” said Chivu.