Seven crucial errors have led Internacional to the brink of the abyss in the Brazilian Serie A.
The recent 3-2 loss to Santos, right at the Beira-Rio, sealed one of the darkest chapters in Internacional‘s recent history. The club from Rio Grande do Sul has plummeted to 18th place in the Brazilian Serie A, with only 25 points, sinking deep into the relegation zone.
Amid the desperation, director Fabinho Soldado announced that head coach Paulo Pezzolano would be retained, banking on a “fresh start” for the crucial match against Chapecoense. However, the reality is that the current delicate situation is a reflection of an accumulation of seven strategic management and planning errors, with roots extending back through previous seasons.
Overvaluation and a Lacking Squad
One of the first mistakes identified was the overvaluation of the team’s reaction in 2024 and the Gaucho championship title. These achievements were interpreted as signs of competitiveness, masking the lack of a weakened squad with few quality options.
This misguided assessment prevented more drastic and necessary measures from being taken to strengthen the group.
Failures in the Transfer Windows
The persistent failure to correct the course during transfer windows kept the team in a state of chronic fragility. The board failed to address existing gaps, opting for stop-gap solutions that did not resolve the team’s structural problems.
This lack of assertiveness in the transfer market became one of the pillars of the current crisis.
Ineffective Signings and Administrative Shielding
The hiring of managers such as Ramón Díaz, without a deep assessment of the club’s context and needs, proved ineffective. The bet on a professional who did not fit the reality of the club culminated in another frustrating chapter.
In a desperate move, the club even appealed to idol Abel Braga, using him as an administrative shield amidst the turbulence.
Tactical and Emotional Instability
Head coach Paulo Pezzolano, despite a promising start with tactical adjustments that brought some hope, eventually fell into significant errors. Abandoning the team’s core and constantly changing the lineup created tactical confusion and emotional instability within the squad.
This lack of consistency on the pitch undermined the players’ confidence and performance.
Ignoring the Macro Context
The club insisted on ignoring the macro context, seeking temporary and immediate solutions to problems that required a deeper, structural approach. The policy of “solving one problem at a time” ended up worsening the situation, creating a vicious cycle of negative results and dissatisfaction.
Technical and Structural Crisis
Internacional‘s current scenario transcends the purely technical sphere. The club is facing a crisis that has become structural, affecting management, planning, and the team’s very identity. The fight against relegation has turned into a battle for survival for the remainder of the season, requiring urgent actions and courageous decisions to reverse the situation.
The team continues to fight to recover, but the upcoming games will be crucial to define Internacional‘s future in the Brazilian Serie A. The fans are anxiously awaiting a turnaround that will banish the ghost of relegation and restore peace to the Beira-Rio.
M360 Team
