Aleksandar Stankovic’s return to Inter has brought understandable attention, but the early weeks of the season have also underlined the patience required of a young midfielder entering a crowded first-team environment. The Serbian has played only 15 minutes across Inter’s opening six matches, yet the club regard his limited involvement as part of a considered development plan rather than a cause for concern.
Stankovic, who spent the previous two seasons developing in Belgium and Switzerland after his Inter youth years, is adapting to senior football in Italy for the first time. The competition in midfield has been intense, while Cristian Chivu has also worked with him in the summer as a possible deep-lying playmaker, a demanding role that requires time and trust.
A careful introduction in midfield
Inter have played five Serie A fixtures and one Champions League match so far, with Stankovic appearing briefly in two of them. He made his senior Nerazzurri debut against Monza, coming on for the final seven minutes, before remaining unused against Cagliari, Napoli and Real Madrid.
He then received another eight minutes in the win over Udinese, by which point Inter’s comeback had already been completed. That leaves him as the least-used outfield player in the squad, averaging little more than two minutes per match.
The figure is lower than many supporters may have expected after his return, particularly given the family link to the club. But Inter do not intend to accelerate his integration simply to increase the statistics. The risk, from the club’s perspective, is placing too much responsibility on a 20-year-old before he is ready for it.
Chivu has turned to experience
The absences of Hakan Calhanoglu against Udinese and Roma did not immediately open a place for Stankovic. Chivu instead selected Piotr Zielinski, whose experience and established reliability made him the more suitable option for those matches.
Zielinski and Stankovic are different midfielders, and the latter’s work in the holding role makes his pathway especially delicate. Inter see no value in exposing him too early in a position that can shape the rhythm and balance of the side.
A demanding spell after the break
The calendar may now create a more natural opening. Once the international break ends, Inter will face four games in 11 days across Serie A and the Champions League, the first congested period of their campaign.
Those matches should provide opportunities to manage the squad and build Stankovic’s minutes gradually. For the player, the direction remains clear: his future plans are centred on Inter, and the club believe his place can be earned step by step rather than forced in the first weeks of the season.
