Inter Milan Deserve Their Flowers: Why Inter Milan Deserve the Love Real, Barca, and Premier League Giants Get
In 2018, legendary AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi referred to Inter Milan as “an enigma filled with summer promises, only to fade away by winter.” For years, that was the club’s identity, living in the shadows of more illustrious rivals like AC Milan and Juventus. Inter fans learned to be content with Champions League qualification, the occasional Derby win, or a Coppa Italia triumph.
But not anymore.
In recent years, Inter Milan has undergone a transformation, emerging as a consistent title challenger in Serie A and a formidable force in European football. A key architect of this resurgence? Simone Inzaghi.
Simone Inzaghi’s Arrival and the Quiet Rebuild
When Antonio Conte departed in 2021 after securing Inter’s 19th Scudetto, citing the Chinese owners’ cost-cutting measures and lack of ambition, Inzaghi, with only Lazio on his managerial résumé, was tasked with picking up the pieces. Star players like Achraf Hakimi and Romelu Lukaku were set to leave, and finances were tight. Expectations, however, remained sky-high.
Over four years, Inzaghi has patiently rebuilt Inter with a modest budget but a clear vision. In the 2021–22 season, the club claimed both the Supercoppa Italiana and the Coppa Italia, beating Juventus in both finals. Champions League qualification helped balance the books, while shrewd moves in the transfer market kept the engine running.
The 2022–23 campaign saw the return of Lukaku and the arrivals of Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. While the Scudetto slipped away to Spalletti’s Napoli, Inter lifted both domestic cups again and earned global respect with a run to the Champions League final, beating Porto and AC Milan before falling narrowly to Manchester City, 1-0.
The momentum carried into 2023–24. Inter sold goalkeeper André Onana for a hefty profit after signing him for free, then reinvested in World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard and forward Marcus Thuram. The French striker quickly developed a lethal partnership with Lautaro Martínez, scoring 13 goals last season and already surpassing that with 14 this term.
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Inzaghi’s Evolving 3-5-2 Philosophy
Inter recently sealed their record 20th Serie A title with a 2-1 win over rivals AC Milan, boasting 89 goals scored and just 22 conceded, suffering only one loss, to Sassuolo. Their Champions League campaign ended prematurely against Atlético Madrid, but fans aren’t complaining.
Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system, once labeled too defensive, has become a tactical masterpiece. His side combines defensive solidity with attacking flair, adapting fluidly to any challenge. Inter average just 0.97 goals conceded per game, with an xGA of 1.16—proof of a side that offers few chances.
Currently, Inter remain alive in the Coppa Italia, with a semi-final second leg against AC Milan after a 1-1 first-leg draw. In Serie A, a last-minute loss to Bologna has them tied at the top with Napoli on 71 points, with five games remaining. In Europe, a daunting Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona awaits, though striker Marcus Thuram is a major doubt.
Still, the players remain unfazed. They trust in Simone Inzaghi and the journey he’s led them on—one that has shaped Inter Milan into a fearless, battle-hardened machine challenging on all fronts.
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