Only five years ago, that second shining star in the firmament was light years away: Inter, who are now pinning it to their chest, and Milan, who are growing and planning to overtake in a short future, were sadly fourth and fifth. They had fought until the last day for a place in the Champions League, while Juve was playing another championship. The run-up began right then: Antonio Conte and Stefano Pioli sat down on the benches of the two clubs a few months apart, the clubs invested to return to the top, not only with money but above all with ideas, and the wind was changed. A Scudetto for Inter in 2021, another for Milan in 2022, both celebrating eleven years after the last time, and then this championship in which the Nerazzurri dominate by distance, but the Diavolo, second with merit, also lays the foundations for rivaling Soon. Today more than ever, the Milan derby is a terrace overlooking the championship and with a unique panorama in Europe. Try to find something similar around: from Madrid to London to Manchester, no major continental city can boast two clubs ahead of all the others, with a competitive advantage over the rest of the competition. The stadium that the two teams are pursuing independently in the city – the Rossoneri in San Donato and the Nerazzurri in Rozzano/Assago – would be a further step into the future. Without forgetting that both are looking with interest at the possibility of renovating San Siro: in that case the duel would remain the same as always, inside the same house.
Nerazzurri here
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For their part, Inter is just waiting for the moment when they can bring out that good bottle that has been in the fridge for months now: scudetto number 20 is the declared objective of this historic cycle. It may be achieved a couple of seasons late (the disappointment of 2022 burned and became fuel), but it is also the fruit of successful team work that starts from much further away. The quality of the game changed with Spalletti, Conte added a ferocious winning mentality, then Simone Inzaghi completed the fresco with his personal touch: he brought gentle leadership, overcame difficulties and falls, improved both the orchestra and the individual violins. The ditch that exists in the league today is the confirmation of a profound work: Inzaghi’s Inter is admired in Europe and for this reason in Appiano we are eating our hands after the unexpected defeat in the Champions League against Atletico. Even more so after last year’s final in Istanbul which changed the very size of the club. In addition to the solid technical guidance, which could remain in the saddle for another three years, the rest was done by managerial continuity: the CEO Beppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio, in balance amidst the corporate storms (but revenues are also now growing, +34.6% in one season). They added one piece at a time without fear of replacing the departing big names. An example? From Lukaku’s muscles to Dzeko’s fine brains to the new Thuram era, has anyone noticed any steps backwards? Lautaro, close to being renewed, remained faithful to the line and in the meantime even became captain, but Inter always improved around him.
Rossoneri here
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There are two ingredients in the Rossoneri recipe: sustainability and the search for talent. If Elliott’s first Milan had focused on big names (Higuain) and big expenses (Paquetà, Piatek) to quickly fill the gap with the top, the subsequent management changed course and adjusted the aim: targeted investments, valorisation of young people, European style of play. The Devil went through changes of managers (Leonardo, Boban, Maldini and Massara) and coaches (Gattuso, Giampaolo, Pioli), then found the right fit at the dawn of post-pandemic football. Pioli was a precarious coach, then he became the firm guide for the recovery: aided by the experience and goals of Ibrahimovic, the eternal champion around whom Theo and Leao, Kessie and Tomori grew up, he brought Milan back to the Champions League and in 2022 celebrated the most unexpected of championships. The arrival of RedBird resulted in a Champions League semi-final but also revolutionized the management structure: having said goodbye to Maldini and Massara, Milan entrusted the transfer market to a team in which multiple figures are involved, from the CEO to the CEO. Furlani to Moncada and D’Ottavio (scout leader and director) up to the super consultant Ibra, hired by Cardinale himself. However, the philosophy has not changed: sustainability is the main path to confirming oneself at the top and quickly returning to winning.
