THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

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.

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

‘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’

INTER’S LAST SCUDETTO-WINNING SQUAD (2009-2010)

Name Position Age Francesco Toldo Goalkeeper 38 Paolo Orlandoni Goalkeeper 37 Julio Cesar Goalkeeper 30 Ivan Cordoba Defender 33 Javier Zanetti Defender 36 Lucio Defender 31 Maicon Defender 28 Marco Materazzi Defender 36 Walter Samuel Defender 32 Cristian Chivu Defender 29 Davide Santon Defender 19 Dejan Stankovic Midfielder 31 Ricardo Quaresma Midfielder 26 Thiago Motta Midfielder 27 Wesley Sneijder Midfielder 26 Sully Muntari Midfielder 26 Patrick Vieira Midfielder 33 Rene Krhin Midfielder 19 McDonald Mariga Midfielder 23 Esteban Cambiasso Midfielder 28 Alen Stevanovic Midfielder 19 Amantino Mancini Midfielder 29 Samuel Eto’o Attacker 29 David Suazo Attacker 30 Diego Milito Attacker 30 Goran Pandev Attacker 26 Mario Balotelli Attacker 19 Marko Arnautovic Attacker 20