Allegri on New York Times Square Billboard, Inter Coach Orders Ban on Juventus Talk, Plans for Title Charge in Three Matches

Juventus' defeat to Udinese and the subsequent widening gap with Inter Milan continue to have significant repercussions. Juventus fans, frustrated by the loss, went as far as to display a message on a giant screen in New York's Times Square: "No better option than ‘Allegri out!’" Indeed, "Allegriout" has topped the Italian trending searches for days. This incident serves as a reminder: one must remain grounded even in moments of triumph. Allegri, buoyed by a string of victories, had provocatively teased Inter by using the "cops and robbers" analogy, which didn’t faze the Nerazzurri but irked Juventus fans instead. Now, it seems he's facing the fallout of his actions.

In the midst of this turmoil, how is the league leader, Inter Milan, handling the situation? According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter held an internal meeting yesterday morning. Simone Inzaghi warned his players against lowering their intensity or momentum in the coming matches. He emphatically stated that Inter is not on the verge of winning the title yet and instructed his players not to think about their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid while playing Salernitana. During the lengthy motivational session, "Juventus" was a forbidden word; Inzaghi himself avoided the topic and didn’t allow his players to discuss their main pursuer, reinforcing a strategy focused on maintaining their own pace and steadily accumulating points.

Italian media commented: Juventus is fixated on Inter, but Inter is solely focused on gathering points and their next opponent. The media further revealed Inter's coaching staff’s strategy: the so-called "three-match suspense killer." What does this mean? Inter’s next three Serie A matches are against Salernitana (home), Lecce (away), and a rescheduled match against Atalanta (home), with a Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid in between. The coaches believe that securing nine points from these three league matches would not only solidify Inter's current advantage (having played one less game) but also demoralize their chasers and potentially minimize uncertainties in the title race. If Inter can achieve a double-digit lead with only a few rounds remaining, it would significantly bolster their title chances and allow them to focus more on the Champions League in the final two to three months of the season.

The strategy is clear, but execution is the challenge. Bergomi and other experts pointed out three potential pitfalls:

Firstly, even if Inzaghi avoids discussing Juventus, will the players ignore their chasers’ situation? Could Juventus dropping points affect the players’ mentality?

Secondly, after a series of matches against top teams like Lazio, Napoli, Juventus, and Roma, all of which Inter won, will the players become complacent against weaker opponents? This season, Inter has excelled against the top seven in Serie A, with nine wins and one draw, earning 28 out of 30 points. However, they have stumbled against weaker teams, a fact that warrants caution.

Thirdly, with the Champions League on the horizon, players are aware that Serie A no longer holds the same prestige or viewership it once did. Performing well in a Champions League knockout match enhances their reputation and market value more than several league matches. Hence, despite the coach’s insistence, players might subconsciously hold back to avoid injuries before the Champions League, a common phenomenon among players in major clubs. How can Inter avoid this trap?

Inter's solution likely lies in "limited rotation." La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that Inter would consider the injury situation and rotate around four players. The report stated: "Inzaghi will rotate, hoping that players who have played less recently and maintained a professional attitude can bring new energy and drive to the team. However, the coach refuses to field an entirely ‘B team,’ as this could send a negative message of underestimating the opponent, which could be risky." Specifically, apart from De Vrij replacing the injured Acerbi, Inter might use professionals like Klaassen and Augusto more, hoping their attitude and eagerness can boost the team during the grueling schedule. Meanwhile, players like Darmian, Mkhitaryan, and Thuram, who have been overworked, will get some rest. However, key players like Lautaro, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, and Pavard will have to endure the strain.

In summary, Inter, with a game in hand and a seven-point lead, is aligning their efforts to secure nine points from the next three league matches to effectively end the title suspense. Whether these plans materialize depends on Inzaghi’s ability to elevate himself to the status of a "championship coach."