Aleksandar Stankovic’s return to San Siro has carried the familiar weight of an Inter family name, but this season is beginning to offer him a chance to make that name his own. The Serbian midfielder has inherited more than Dejan Stankovic’s No. 5 shirt: supporters have recognised elements of his father’s technique, his movement and his connection to the club. Now a Champions League evening against Club Brugge could bring his first Inter start.
The coach and the club
Inter have often found that homegrown figures are met with particular warmth at the Meazza. Last season, Pio Esposito was backed consistently by the Nerazzurri public, and Stankovic has felt a similar affection during the current campaign.
That response is partly rooted in the legacy of his father, Dejan, a central figure in Inter’s recent history. Aleksandar’s decision to wear the No. 5 has made the link unmistakable, while the younger Stankovic has repeatedly made clear during the summer that he wants to build his future at Inter despite interest from elsewhere.
There is also a football reason for the attention. Aleksandar has shown the refined touch and technical qualities associated with his father, as well as similarities in the way he covers the pitch. Yet sentiment has not altered the reality of his current place in the squad: among Inter’s outfield players, he has been used less than anyone else. Only Spence, who made his debut against Parma on Saturday, has played fewer minutes.
A path through Lucerne and Brugge
Stankovic’s preparation for this moment was shaped away from Italy. He spent two seasons developing abroad, first with Lucerne in Switzerland and then with Club Brugge in Belgium. Those spells gave him the experience that could now help him compete for a sustained role in Inter’s midfield.
- He left Italy to gain senior experience at Lucerne.
- He continued his progress at Club Brugge, where his development accelerated.
- He returned to Inter aiming to learn from established midfielders such as Hakan Calhanoglu.
He has not yet started a match for Inter, but Cristian Chivu is considering him from the opening whistle against Brugge in the Champions League. The plan under consideration would see Stankovic take Calhanoglu’s place in midfield.
It would make for an unusually personal occasion: his first start in Nerazzurri colours at San Siro, against the club that played an important part in preparing him for that stage. For Inter, it is a small but meaningful chapter in the work of turning a famous surname into a player’s own story.
