Tomas Palacios, the 21-year-old Argentine defender, has made his long-awaited debut for Inter Milan, coming on as a substitute in the 81st minute of their 3-0 victory against Empoli. The young player, who arrived at the club last summer for €6.5 million, expressed his pride and determination following his first Serie A appearance.
“I thank everyone for the splendid debut with this shirt,” Palacios said after the match. “I knew I had arrived at a great club, and now I want to take advantage of every opportunity and learn. I must continue to learn day by day.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport report how Palacios’ path to the first team has required patience, much like his teammate Yann Bisseck, who took three months to earn his first start. The Argentine has been on the bench for five consecutive matches before finally getting his chance on the field.
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi sees potential in Palacios, stating, “He’s working hard. He will have a great future, he must study the more experienced players: he will get satisfaction.” The coach’s words suggest that Palacios may see more playing time in the coming matches, particularly with fixtures against Venezia, Arsenal, and Napoli on the horizon.
While Palacios is not included in the Champions League squad, he is eligible for Serie A matches. The club’s strategy appears to be nurturing his growth gradually, allowing him to develop in the shadow of established players like Alessandro Bastoni.
Interestingly, Palacios brings a unique skill set to an Inter side that statistically dribbles less than any other team in Italy. In 2024, he was the defender who attempted the most dribbles worldwide, potentially offering a new dynamic to Inter’s play.
