Alan Patrick is gearing up for what could be his quietest season at Inter since returning, and frankly, it is a total head-scratcher. The midfielder is looking at the fewest appearances, minutes, and goal contributions in 2026 compared to any of his full seasons with the club. Talk about a weird situation for your captain, especially after he went down with a right thigh pain in the 88th minute during the recent loss to Fluminense. He even scored in that game, but now he is a big doubt for next Tuesday’s clash with Coritiba.
The Numbers Are Wild, But His Impact Is Still There
Let’s break down Patrick’s 2026 so far. The guy has played in 40 of Inter’s 51 matches, racking up 2,899 minutes. He’s got nine goals and eight assists, which, let’s be real, is a dip from his 2023, 2024, and 2025 figures. But here is the thing: even with those “down” numbers, his influence is undeniable. He’s tied for the squad’s second-highest scorer this year with nine goals, right there with Vitinho and Borré (who is no longer with the club), just one shy of Bernabei’s ten. And get this: he is still the team’s leading assist provider, outright topping the chart. So, fewer overall numbers, but still pulling major weight. What gives, right?
From Benchwarmer to Key Player: The Tactical Rollercoaster
It wasn’t always smooth sailing this year. Early on, under Paulo Pezzolano, Inter shifted to a more reactive, physical, and defensive tactical approach in the Brasileirão. And for a classic No. 10 like Alan Patrick, that just meant his style fell out of favor. Can you believe the captain was benched for five straight matches without even stepping on the pitch? That’s gotta sting for a dressing room leader and technical standout. But then, BAM! Eduardo Baptista comes in as head coach, and suddenly Patrick is back in the central role, starting four of the last five matches. He is repaying that trust, too, with two goals and an assist recently.
The Uncomfortable Truth Inter Fans Need to Face
Now, here is the real kicker, the stat that just makes you scratch your head. Inter’s record in the Brazilian Championship without Alan Patrick on the pitch is actually pretty good. In six matches where he wasn’t playing, they grabbed four wins (against Santos, Corinthians, Fluminense, and Vasco) and only two defeats (Cruzeiro and Mirassol). But when he *is* on the pitch? In the 27 league matches featuring Alan Patrick, the team registered just four wins, a whopping 11 draws, and 12 defeats. Seriously, that is a wild discrepancy, and it makes you wonder what is truly going on with the squad’s dynamics.
What does this mean for the next match against Coritiba? With Patrick potentially sidelined due to that thigh injury, the team could be without their captain again. We’ll be watching closely to see what Baptista does and if this curious trend continues.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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