When Inter Milan crushed Pisa 2-0 on December 1, 2025, the headlines were all about Lautaro Martinez’s brace. But beneath the celebration, a quieter, more urgent drama unfolded: Ange-Yoan Bonny, the 22-year-old Ivorian forward signed that summer, didn’t even make the bench. Not a single minute. Not a warm-up. Not a substitute’s jersey. Just silence. And for a player brought in with hope — and a reported €12 million fee — that silence screams louder than any goal.
Now or Never: Bonny’s Window Is Slipping Shut
It’s not just that Bonny was left out. It’s why. The same day, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the 36-year-old Armenian veteran and vice-captain, returned from injury. A midfielder, yes — but one who’s played forward, pressed high, and knows how to create space in tight spaces. His return didn’t just add depth. It added competition. And Inter’s manager, Simone Inzaghi, chose the experience over the potential. That’s a message. Loud and clear.Football Italia’s report on December 1, 2025, put it bluntly: “There is good and bad news for Inter, because while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is back after injury, Ange-Yoan Bonny is not making the trip to Pisa.” The timing? No accident. With the Champions League clash against LiverpoolSan Siro Stadium looming on December 9, every squad decision is being weighed like gold. And Bonny? He’s on the scales — and they’re tipping against him.
The Summer That Was: Inter’s High-Stakes Transfer Game
Bonny didn’t arrive in a vacuum. He was part of a summer overhaul that saw Inter shed assets with surgical precision. On August 12, 2025, Sebastiano Esposito, 27, was sent to Cagliari on loan with a €4 million conditional obligation to buy and a 40% sell-on clause. On August 18, Nicola Zalewski moved to Atalanta for €17 million. On August 25, Kristjan Asllani joined Torino on loan with a €12 million option. These weren’t fire sales. They were trade-offs — clearing space, balancing books, and signaling that Inter now demands immediate returns.Bonny’s arrival in June 2025 was supposed to be the next piece. Fast. Physical. A modern winger who could stretch defenses. But after 11 league appearances — mostly off the bench — he’s managed just 97 minutes of meaningful play. No goals. No assists. No standout moment. Meanwhile, Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez have combined for 14 goals in the last six games. The gap isn’t just in stats. It’s in trust.
Pressure on Inzaghi — And the Shadow of Liverpool
Manager Simone Inzaghi isn’t just managing a team. He’s managing expectations. After a shaky start to the season, Inter are now fifth in Serie A — but Champions League qualification is hanging by a thread. A win against Liverpool at San Siro Stadium on December 9 could be the spark. A loss? And they’re out of the knockout race before New Year’s.Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, called the match “the final Champions League fixture of 2025” — and he’s right. For Inter, it’s not just about points. It’s about proving they can compete. And that means playing their best. Bonny hasn’t shown he’s among them. Not yet. Not consistently.
But here’s the twist: Inter’s transfer strategy doesn’t just end with selling. It ends with structuring. The Esposito deal wasn’t a simple loan. It had a buy clause. A sell-on. A timeline. That’s the playbook now. If Bonny doesn’t produce in the next two weeks — against Bologna on December 15 and then Liverpool — a similar deal might be waiting. A loan to a mid-table Serie A side. Maybe even abroad. With an option to buy back… if he shines.
What’s Really at Stake? More Than a Squad Spot
This isn’t just about Bonny. It’s about Inter’s identity. Are they a club that nurtures young talent — or one that demands instant impact? The summer transfers suggest the latter. The club’s website, Inter.it, confirmed contract extensions for Maye, Kamate, and Zuberek on September 9 — all young players who’ve earned their place. Bonny hasn’t. And that’s the brutal truth.Meanwhile, the fanbase is watching. SempreInter.com’s report after the Pisa match noted that a “legendary Juventus goalkeeper” praised an “Italy rising star” — a subtle dig, perhaps, at the lack of homegrown or recently signed talent making waves. The message? Inter’s fans expect more than hype. They want results.
And so, Bonny’s fate now rests on two weeks. Two matches. One chance to prove he belongs — not just on paper, but on the pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ange-Yoan Bonny left out of the Pisa match?
Bonny was omitted because Inter’s coaching staff, under Simone Inzaghi, prioritized experience and form over potential. The return of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from injury added depth in attacking midfield roles, and with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram delivering consistently, Bonny’s lack of impact in limited minutes made him expendable for a crucial match. His absence was a clear signal that playing time is now earned, not guaranteed.
What does Bonny’s situation mean for Inter’s transfer strategy?
Inter’s summer moves — like Sebastiano Esposito’s loan with a €4M buy clause — show a shift toward conditional, low-risk signings. Bonny’s future may follow the same path: if he doesn’t perform in the next two games, a loan to a Serie A or European club with a buy-back option is likely. Inter is no longer just buying talent — they’re building portfolios with exit clauses.
Could Bonny still make the Liverpool Champions League squad?
Yes — but only if he trains exceptionally well and Inzaghi sees a tactical need. With Thuram and Martinez as starters, Bonny would need to offer something unique: pace off the bench, defensive work rate, or set-piece threat. If he doesn’t show that in training this week, he’ll be left out again. The December 9 match is his last chance to force his way in before the winter window.
How does Bonny compare to other young forwards at Inter?
Unlike Maye, Kamate, and Zuberek — who all earned contract extensions by contributing regularly — Bonny has barely featured. He’s been on the bench more than he’s played. While others have impressed in Coppa Italia or as substitutes, Bonny has yet to deliver a moment that justifies his €12 million price tag. Inter’s young players are being judged by performance, not potential — and he’s falling behind.
What happens if Bonny doesn’t play in the next two matches?
If Bonny remains unused through the Bologna and Liverpool games, Inter will likely explore a loan move before January 31. Clubs in Portugal, Belgium, or even Serie B could be interested, especially with a buy-back clause. His market value has already dropped — and without game time, it will continue to fall. His Inter career may end not with a bang, but with a quiet exit.
Is Simone Inzaghi under pressure because of Bonny’s omission?
Absolutely. While Lautaro’s goals shield him from direct criticism, Bonny’s stagnation raises questions about Inter’s scouting and development. If a summer signing worth millions can’t even make the bench ahead of a Champions League knockout game, fans and media will ask: did the club misjudge? Was the signing a mistake? Inzaghi’s reputation for player development is now on the line.