Monday’s Italian Serie A clash between firm rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan at the San Siro Stadium certainly had plenty riding on the final result.
Not only were the usual Derby della Madonnina bragging rights on offer, for the first time in history, the Scudetto would be the Nerazzurri’s if they won and all three points went in their direction.
As many pundits and commentators had predicted, Inter’s victory came to pass in what was quite an expectedly tasty affair. Goals from Francesco Acerbi and Marcus Thuram in each half of the game gave them full advantage, but when AC’s Fikayo Tomori scored in the 80th minute of the game, it set up what was a hectic finale. Whilst there were no further goals, those in attendance or watching on, saw three players shown straight red cards in stoppage time – two for AC, one for Inter.
With them holding on for the 2-1 win, it sealed their 20th Italian title and consigned their rivals to second place, and as the nearest title chasers for so long, the Rossoneri have a five point buffer with five games remaining in the 2023/24 campaign.
In winning their 20th title, Inter also take bragging rights by passing AC’s 19 titles, although they do lag one behind Juventus.
It was certainly an achievement for Simone Inzaghi’s first team squad as it is no small feat to lift the Scudetto with five games remaining, but having built up a 27 game unbeaten streak and a now 19 point gap over their second placed chasers, it was a deserved and very rich reward.
It is highly likely that in the coming matches they will continue to build on their 79 goals (15 more than any other side in the division), and they have only conceded 18 goals (eight fewer than anyone else) and they have only suffered one defeat all year long.
This latest derby victory now also means that they have won the last six encounters, which equals the run set by their rivals back between 1911-13 and 1946-48.
Given the financial restrictions that they have been operating under in more recent years, that have required them to sell key players (such as Romelu Lukaku, Andre Onana and Milan Skriniar to name just three) to continue to balance the clubs’ limited budget, their dominance this year is an even bigger achievement.
It is a world of difference from their struggles last season, where Inzaghi’s job was in the balance for a long time, but the boards faith in him has now seen the ultimate reward.
Now we see if they can hold onto it next year.
