It began with fireworks, Nerazzurri and Tricolor smoke bombs, songs and chants (“It’s us, it’s us, we are the Italian champions”), with the team bus escorted by fans to the entrance of the Meazza between applause, flags and scarves and with a tricolor choreography that embraced the entire stadium, it continued with two candles blown out on its two stars in the face of Torino and will continue throughout today and in fact until the end of the season. Inter’s big celebration of the Scudetto is here, in a Milan that – for one day at least – is only Nerazzurri. Torino were non-paying guests, forced to bow reluctantly: the resistance of Juric’s men lasted for a while, collapsing after being down to 10 men at the start of the second half. The match is a pleasant side dish, the first course is in the stands where people sing and dance, they also invite Inzaghi to jump (and he is satisfied). The Granata, who still have something to play for, take it seriously at the start, with Zapata particularly motivated, but it doesn’t last long. The turning point at the beginning of the second half when for a foul by Tameze on Mkhitaryan Ferrieri Caputi (who had only given a yellow) was called back to the VAR, changed her mind and drew a red, leaving Toro with 10 men. A few minutes and the one-two arrived which ended the match. In the 11th minute the first goal arrives thanks to the brilliant Mkhitaryan-Calhanoglu combination with the Turk putting it in the corner and before the quarter of an hour the I double again with Calhanoglu on a penalty called for a foul in the area by Lovato on Thuram and which Lautaro let his teammate take. Torino is no longer there, it’s just an Inter party. The Nerazzurri confirm an impressive goal difference with a +63 and 89 points already scored with still four games remaining at the end of the season. Torino throws in the towel and gives up: tenth place in the standings with 46 points and the dream of Europe moving away while San Siro explodes with joy and sings at the top of its lungs: “we are the champions of Italy”.
Inter-Torino, the tactical key to the match
The new Italian Champions rely on 3-5-2 of wonders with the offending couple Lautaro-Thuram; Inzaghi prefers on the flanks Darmian on the right and Carlos Augusto on the left to have high pressure and at the same time forward insertions. Juric changes everything: switch from 3-4-1-2 to 4-3-2-1 and lower Bellanova as right back And Rodriguez as left foot to contain offensive movements and opposing counterattacks on the flanks. In the first half, the Turin lifts Bellanova – from full-back to winger – in the offensive phase to gain meters forward and try crosses towards the center more frequently to catch Zapata. Inzaghi asks his men to close all the central spaces and forces opponents to go only and exclusively through external routes.
In the second half theInter she is quick to circulate the ball. Take advantage of them in-depth insertions of its midfielders and forwards and gets a opponent’s expulsion, a penalty and two goals in quick succession. Torino without Tameze tries to limit the damage and goes down Vlasic on the midfield with Zapata (and then Sanabria) only going forward but unable to recover.
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Inter, what worked
Dangerous counterattacks with a long, deep ball are the key to unlocking the result: Tameze’s expulsion also resulted from such an action. Perfect ball circulation and patience while waiting to find the net.
Inter, what didn’t work
The first half was played in a bland manner, but it was understandable, and there was a lot of anticipation from Toro who twice came close to scoring with shots from Zapata, served by Bellanova who was left a little too free to cross.
Inter’s report cards
- Summer 6.5. Decision in interventions and safety in the department, no decisive save but ensures the clean sheet.
- Pavard 6. He doesn’t push too hard, he just stays in line with the department.
- De Vrij 6.5. He keeps Zapata at bay when marking, he gives him something but on several occasions he is able to keep him from turning.
- Sticks 6.5. He suffers slightly from the incursions of Bellanova and Vlasic but is skilled in the defensive phase and allows almost nothing to pass.
- Darmian 6. Ilic and Lazaro try to push but only hold out for 45 minutes. In the second half he moves forward more.
- Stretcher 7. He notices Mkhitaryan’s insertion and serves him deep, which leads to the opponent’s expulsion.
- Calhanoglu 8.5. Masterful conclusion from inside the area, from a tight position. From the left he shoots with his left foot on the fly, low to the far post. He takes the penalty kick in the 59th minute and brings the result to 2-0.
- Mkhitaryan 7. At the start of the second half he goes deep and is brought down by Tameze, wins the foul from the edge of the area and gets the opponent sent off. Assist for Calhanoglu on the first goal.
- Carlos Augusto 6. He limits himself to containing Bellanova and succeeds quite well.
- Thuram 7. He enters the area in the 57th minute, is fouled and wins a penalty.
- Lautaro Martinez 6.5. When circulating the ball in the offensive phase he is able to move the ball around, finds Mkhitaryan free who then serves an assist to Calhanoglu for the 2-0 goal.
The tops and flops of Turin
- Bellanova 6. In the coverage phase he remains right back but gets up during the build-up phase to attempt crosses from the outside lane towards the center
- Rodriguez 6. Pushed forward in the first half but remained cautious in the defensive phase.
- Zapata 5.5. He devours a goal with a header in the area that the opposing defense had anticipated. It goes out in the second half.
- Lovato 5. He brought down Thuram in the area, failing to take the right time in his defensive intervention, and awarded a penalty to Inter who took a 2-0 lead.
- Tameze 4.5. Last man foul on Mkhitaryan and direct red after VAR review.
The race director’s report card
Referee 7. All-female Terna directed by Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi who humbly goes to VAR, cancels the yellow for Tameze and sends him off with a direct red, after his last man intervention which knocks down Mkhitaryan on the restart. He sees the penalty on Thuram and awards it with maximum confidence without even the help of VAR.
Inter-Turin: the match scoreboard
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni (st 25′ Buchanan); Darmian, Barella (st 26′ Arnautovic), Calhanoglu (st 18′ Asllani), Mkhitaryan (st 18′ Frattesi), Carlos Augusto; Thuram (st 18′ Sanchez), Martinez. Available Audero, Di Gennaro, Bisseck, Cuadrado, Sensi, Klaassen. All. Inzaghi.
Turin (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Lovato, Buongiorno, Rodriguez (st 26′ Masina); Bellanova, Tameze, Ilic, Lazaro (st 18′ Vojvoda); Ricci, Vlasic; Zapata (st 18′ Sanabria). Available. Gemello, Popa, Dellavalle, Silva, Savva, Kabic, Okereke, Pellegri. All. Juric.
Referee: Ferrieri Caputi.
Markers: st 11′, st 15′ (r) Calhanoglu (I)
Note. Expelled: st 4′ Tameze (T)
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