Inter Faces a Rival from the Curva Nord: The Story of a Great Nerazzurri Fan and a Mother's Miracle

This weekend, Inter Milan will face Monza in a Serie A clash that feels like the calm before the storm, with more intense battles like the Milan Derby and their encounters against Manchester City still on the horizon. Before the big matches, however, let’s delve into a story that ties together Inter's upcoming fixture with a tale of deep passion and resilience—centered around Monza’s goalkeeper, Stefano Turati, a player with a strong bond to Inter.

Our story starts on November 19, 2023, when Inter faced Frosinone. In that match, Inter full-back Federico Dimarco scored a spectacular goal—a stunning 50-meter lob that will be remembered for years by fans who witnessed it. While the goal itself was a marvel, another figure caught in the moment was Turati, the unfortunate goalkeeper who was left embarrassed by Dimarco’s audacious strike. Fast forward to this weekend, and Turati, now the goalkeeper for Monza, prepares to face Inter, the team he has loved all his life, in what will be a very personal encounter for him.

Some might question the relevance of a young, relatively unknown goalkeeper in the grand scheme of things. After all, Turati plays for a mid-table club, and his reputation doesn’t yet compare to footballing elites. But this story runs much deeper. Not only was Turati once part of Inter’s youth system, but his dedication and rise through the ranks have caught the attention of Inter’s current management. At just 22 years old, Turati finished fifth in the Serie A goalkeeper saves ranking last season, marking him as one of the most promising talents in Italy.

But perhaps the most compelling part of Turati’s story is his unwavering loyalty to Inter. He’s not just another professional footballer—he’s a hardcore, lifelong Inter fan. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there’s one anecdote that perfectly captures his obsession with the Nerazzurri. While playing for Frosinone in Serie B, Turati once approached his coach, World Cup winner Fabio Grosso, with an unusual request: “Coach, can I get time off midweek?” When asked why, Turati explained that he wanted to attend the Milan Derby as a fan. Grosso was initially amused, thinking the young goalkeeper was joking. But Turati was dead serious. He went to the Derby, shirtless in the Curva Nord, cheering for Inter until he lost his voice.

Turati’s passion for Inter is deeply rooted in his family. Born in Milan in September 2001, Turati was raised in an Inter-supporting household. His father, mother, and sister are all diehard fans of the club. His love for Inter blossomed early, and by the age of nine, Turati was already training in the club’s youth system. In 2010, Inter’s historic treble-winning season left an indelible mark on the young boy. Mesmerized by the brilliance of Julio César, Turati decided to switch positions and become a goalkeeper.

However, Turati’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. As a late bloomer, he struggled with his height during his teenage years. By the age of 13 or 14, while other kids were growing rapidly, Turati lagged behind. In the physically demanding world of goalkeeping, this was a serious disadvantage, and he quickly fell down the pecking order in Inter’s academy, becoming a third-choice keeper at best. Feeling disheartened, Turati considered giving up football altogether.

Enter Roberta, Turati’s mother and the real hero of this story. A tough and determined woman from the mountains of Campiglio, she refused to let her son give up on his dream so easily. “At 13, I was clinging to anything I could—like railings and car doors—trying to avoid going to training,” Turati once recalled. But his mother was having none of it. “She didn’t care if I became a professional footballer. What mattered to her was that I learned to deal with adversity,” Turati added. Her insistence on perseverance ultimately saved his budding career.

In a way, Roberta’s unyielding resolve mirrors the very essence of Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri are symbolized by the colors blue and black—blue for the sky’s hopeful light, and black for the darkness of challenges. Throughout its long and storied history, Inter has faced numerous setbacks, yet the club always emerges stronger. In recent years, Inter’s financial struggles, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, left the club teetering on the brink of collapse. Key figures like Antonio Conte and Romelu Lukaku left, sparking fears that the team would fall into mediocrity. But Inter quickly rebounded, reaching the UEFA Champions League final and proudly stitching a second star onto their badge. This resilience, this ability to rise from the ashes, is what defines the club. It’s also what Roberta wanted to instill in her son.

When Turati turned 16, a new challenge arose. A sudden growth spurt threw off his coordination, causing him to struggle with his technique in goal. Unfortunately, Inter decided to let him go. But once again, his mother encouraged him to press on, reminding him that persistence could one day lead him back to his beloved Inter, this time as a victor.

Turati didn’t give up. He began his climb from the bottom, playing in Serie C2, Italy’s fourth division. Over the course of seven years, he worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming a first-choice goalkeeper in Serie A. Now at Monza, Turati’s journey has come full circle, and he has even caught the attention of Italy’s national team coach, Luciano Spalletti. More significantly, he’s back on Inter’s radar, with sporting director Piero Ausilio reportedly keeping a close eye on his development.

As Inter prepare to face Monza, the focus will naturally be on the stars of the Nerazzurri—Lautaro Martínez, Marcus Thuram, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. But in the stands and on the field, many will be paying special attention to Turati. His story, intertwined with his love for Inter, has captured the hearts of fans. His mother Roberta, the one who dragged him to training sessions when he wanted to quit, might even be in attendance at the San Siro, cheering him on.

Though Turati’s current market value stands at a modest €7 million, he is far more than a mere statistic. His story embodies the spirit of Inter Milan: a club that refuses to be defeated, even in the darkest of times. As a child of the Curva Nord, Turati’s dream of one day returning to Inter as their starting goalkeeper is still alive. Should that day ever come, it will be more than just a career milestone—it will be a fairy-tale moment for the goalkeeper who once stood among the ultras, dreaming of playing for his beloved club.

Turati may be a small name in the world of football, but his story resonates with the values of Inter Milan. If one day he returns to the Nerazzurri and lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy as their starting goalkeeper, it will be the culmination of a journey that started in the Curva Nord and was shaped by a mother’s unshakable belief in her son’s potential.