INTER’S LAST SCUDETTO-WINNING SQUAD (2009-2010)
SERIE A
had former boss Roberto Mancini back for a couple of years, but he couldn’t replicate the success of his first spell and soon moved on. It was not until the arrival of the men that oversaw the rise of Juventus a decade ago – Beppe Marotta and Antonio Conte – that things fell into place for the Nerazzurri. Under current owners Suning, who purchased a majority share from Erick Thohir in 2016, the Biscione has been effective in the transfer market – Marotta’s domain as CEO, in conjunction with Conte’s contacts and clear idea of how he wants Inter to play. Conte has called on his time as Chelsea manager to return to the Premier League to sign the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Christian Eriksen, as well as ex-Manchester United trio Ashley Young, Matteo Darmian and Alexis Sanchez. Not all signings have been successful, but England has been a fruitful market for Inter. Regardless of where the players are signed from, Conte has a squad that matches exactly his demands. That’s a change from 12 months ago, when he publically complained about not getting the players he wanted. The coach’s preference is three technical, physical centrebacks, dynamic wing-backs – and he has arguably the most dynamic right-wing-back in the world in Achraf Hakimi – and an energetic midfield, perhaps best exemplified by Nicolo Barella. Leading the line is an enviable partnership of Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez. Conte’s men were beaten to the honour of Winter Champions by Milan but had surged away from their city rivals by the time the final weeks of the season came into view. If Juve have had a strangle hold on the Scudetto since 2012, then Inter have had one hand on it since the middle of March. Their 19th title has been a long time in coming, but will have been worth the wait.
‘IF JUVE HAVE HAD A STRANGLE HOLD ON THE SCUDETTO SINCE 2012, THEN INTER HAVE HAD ONE HAND ON IT SINCE THE MIDDLE OF MARCH’ 22
SOCCER360 MAY • JUNE 2021
Name Francesco Toldo Paolo Orlandoni Julio Cesar Ivan Cordoba Javier Zanetti Lucio Maicon Marco Materazzi Walter Samuel Cristian Chivu Davide Santon Dejan Stankovic Ricardo Quaresma Thiago Motta Wesley Sneijder Sully Muntari Patrick Vieira Rene Krhin McDonald Mariga Esteban Cambiasso Alen Stevanovic Amantino Mancini Samuel Eto’o David Suazo Diego Milito Goran Pandev Mario Balotelli Marko Arnautovic
TOP: Are Inter set to claim their 19th title – some 11 years after their last? ABOVE: Another key part of Inter's team, Arturo Vidal BOTTOM LEFT: Achraf Hakimi is a solid defender who can score BOTTOM RIGHT: Leading the line is an enviable partnership of Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez RIGHT (R-L): Javier Zanetti lifting the Scudetto, Mario Balotelli
Position Age Goalkeeper 38 Goalkeeper 37 Goalkeeper 30 Defender 33 Defender 36 Defender 31 Defender 28 Defender 36 Defender 32 Defender 29 Defender 19 Midfielder 31 Midfielder 26 Midfielder 27 Midfielder 26 Midfielder 26 Midfielder 33 Midfielder 19 Midfielder 23 Midfielder 28 Midfielder 19 Midfielder 29 Attacker 29 Attacker 30 Attacker 30 Attacker 26 Attacker 19 Attacker 20
