On a historic Monday evening Inter created waves by seizing the Scudetto, a momentous first, by deftly outplaying city rivals Milan in the riveting Derby della Madonnina.
Let’s tally it up – this makes the 20th league title for Inter and the sixth consecutive derby win. It comes as no surprise that Simone Inzaghi’s league-dominating team is toasting to this monumental achievement this season.
They’ve tacked on an impressive 79 goals in a span of 33 games, only allowing 18 past their line of defense. Almost flawless in the league, Inter have been playing their A-game.
Standing tall as Italy’s premier team, they’ve faced defeat only once in the entire season – this is a testament to the Nerazzurri’s great strength and resilience, even amid initial doubts at the inception of the campaign.
Despite sailing into the Champions League final the previous season, there were questions about what could be achieved with the club’s somewhat limited budget.
The significant loan taken by the club’s ownership, which is due for repayment in May, meant they had to continue trading players to ensure financial stability.
Big names like Romelu Lukaku, Andre Onana, and Milan Skriniar, arguably the team’s top defender, exited the club. Inter also bid goodbye to Marcelo Brozovic and Edin Dzeko, veterans crucial to their success in Europe.
Inter then announced the additions of Marko Arnautovic, Alexis Sanchez, and Yann Sommer to the squad, sparking concerns about the club’s seemingly mediocre investment. But Inzaghi stayed optimistic, believing that he would steer the team towards triumph.
Inzaghi was under colossal pressure last season, with the Italian media practically calling for his exit.
Inter’s twelve league losses, which made up almost a third of their Serie A matches, meant they were no match for Napoli for the title. They seemed to have lost the winning attitude installed by Antonio Conte, Inzaghi’s predecessor.
Inzaghi’s Champions League results, however, salvaged his reputation.
Commendably, the club’s ownership and management maintained their patience. Steven Zhang and his management had faith in Inzaghi’s strength and their selection of players.
After 22 years at Lazio, both as player and manager, Inzaghi took over as Inter’s boss in 2021.
Inzaghi has continuously polished his team each season, learning from past blunders to craft a team which, in his image, has managed to thrill even his toughest critics and riveted neutral fans.
Renowned for his respect and courtesy, Inzaghi never stooped to instigating rivalries or indulging in mind games, unlike Juventus. He displayed genuine respect towards Stefano Pioli, his opponent in the derby, and the man whose place he took at Lazio.
After losing the title to Pioli in 2022, Inzaghi has finally seized his first Scudetto this year, and quite fittingly, in the Derby di Milano.
The latest arrivals, Sommer, Benjamin Pavard, Marcus Thuram, and Davide Frattesi, have played key roles in the team’s rise to success. Sommer has been credited with more clean sheets than any other goalie in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Fans quickly moved on from Lukaku when Thuram scored the maiden goal in a 4-0 thrashing of Fiorentina early this season, and again in the following week’s derby in a 5-1 victory – this was a clear sign of Inter’s determination and strength.
Despite the conventional wisdom that hefty investments are crucial for winning, Inter’s success this season is a testament to the importance of excellent planning and execution.
The squad, expertly assembled by chief executive Beppe Marotta, Inzaghi, and the rest of Inter’s management, proves that smart, not necessarily expensive, buys can lead to success. This is best encapsulated in Marotta’s words: “The human element is essential…you can have great players, but if they are not also great men, it becomes more difficult to form a team.”
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The team displays a healthy mix of youth and experience, vitality and wisdom – all with a strong mindset and an evident eagerness to work hard, and defy doubters.
The atmosphere within the dressing room played a significant role, too. Inter, or rather their family of players, enjoyed each other’s company and worked tirelessly for the team.
It’s a tad bit easier to put in the extra effort when you’re a fan at heart, which was the case for diehard Inter supporters Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella, and Federico Dimarco. Their experience wearing the black and blue for their club would have been nothing short of a dream come true.
Former Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu, who was derided by his previous club when they bagged the title in 2022, proved his worth to Inter this season with his intelligent and dynamic play in midfield. Francesco Acerbi, another Milan staple, stood tall in defense, consistently proving why Inzaghi fought hard to bring him aboard.
Their only regret this season was their premature exit from Europe at the hands of Atletico Madrid. Creating a slew of opportunities wasn’t a challenge for Inter, but converting these into goals, especially in Europe, proved to be a stumbling block.
As for Milan, their disappointing performances and lack of leadership led to another defeat. Their performances fluctuate between extremes, and against city rivals, they almost always disappoint. Comically, for Pioli, Inter has become the unbeatable foe, a sentiment that appears to reflect among frustrated fans.
In high-stake games, like the derby or the defeat by Roma in the Europa League, Milan was found wanting in the hunger and intensity that’s expected of a big club. The squad is visibly missing leaders who can significantly impact the game, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Some players hold promise, but others are yet to prove their worth to Milan.
Pioli’s decision-making has also been questionable, like when he chose not to play Olivier Giroud, instead opting for winger Rafael Leao as a false number nine. He needs to be more discerning about picking the team based on current form and needs to address his failure to motivate his squad for important games.
He can only hope that his club displays the same level of patience that Inter did a year ago, giving him time to build the team in his vision.
Last summer, ten new players joined while he lost key figures like Sandro Tonali, as well as allies on the management level. It was his team two years ago that demonstrated the maturity needed for winning major games and securing the title; whether the club believes he can replicate that feat remains to be seen.
Next weekend, Milan will face Juventus in what is being labelled as the ‘Derby of the Defeated’.
Both teams could learn a thing or two from Inter about crafting the perfect squad and having the ideal maestro at the helm to command the perfect Serie A season.