Aleksandar Stankovic indispensable at Brugge, now in the shadow at Inter

Club Brugge play on Tuesday at the San Siro for a Champions League duel with Inter. Aleksandar Stankovic may be in for a special evening. Last season he impressed at the blue‑black side, but now he has to settle for a supporting role. After a summer transfer of €23 million, his future remains uncertain.

Transfer and contractual expectations

Inter paid €23 million last summer to bring Stanković back from Brugge. The Italian club has secured him until mid‑2031, showing clear confidence in the 20‑year‑old midfielder. Nevertheless, his return has so far unfolded differently than expected.

In the first six competitive matches of the season, Stanković has not yet played a full minute; his tally stands at less than fifteen minutes. For a player who was a mainstay at Club Brugge and showcased himself on the European stage, this is a stark decline.

The primary reason is the strong competition for the midfield spot. Hakan Çalhanoğlu is Inter’s regular playmaker, while Piotr Zieliński provides a more experienced alternative. When Çalhanoğlu was unavailable, coach Cristian Chivu opted for Zieliński, giving Stanković even fewer chances.

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Serie A demands and rotating opportunities

In addition to the competition, Stanković must adapt to the physical and tactical demands of Serie A. After spells at Luzern and Club Brugge, the Italian league is a step up, especially in terms of physicality. Chivu has often deployed him during pre‑season as a deep‑lying playmaker, a role that requires considerable experience and positioning.

Inter does not view the limited playing time as a warning sign, but as part of a careful development strategy. The club wants to prevent the young midfielder from receiving too much responsibility too quickly. With an especially busy schedule – seven matches in three weeks – coach Chivu has the opportunity to rotate the core and deploy players with fewer minutes.

Stanković knows the qualities of the blue‑black side and understands what is required at the highest European level. Last season he contributed nine goals and five assists in 55 matches for Club Brugge, figures that underline his attacking contribution. Whether he will receive many minutes on Tuesday against his former club remains uncertain.

The clash at the San Siro highlights the contrast between the indispensable role Stanković had last year at Brugge and the patient waiting position he now occupies at Inter. One thing is clear: Inter has invested heavily in him, but the young Serb still needs to be patient to reap that investment on the pitch.