Inter Milan Equals 20-Year Record, Celebrating Long-Awaited Triumph After Eight Years of Consistency

Inter Milan has solidified their 14-point lead in Serie A with a decisive 2-0 victory over Empoli, leaving them just eight rounds away from securing the title. While discussing Champions League qualification might seem redundant given their comfortable lead, it’s important to note that this victory mathematically ensures Inter's place in the Champions League for the seventh consecutive season under Zhang Kangyang's leadership. This marks a stark contrast to the six consecutive seasons prior where Inter failed to qualify for Europe’s premier competition, highlighting the club's steady progress and the effectiveness of their current strategy.

Man of the Match

Who was the standout player in this match? Three key players come to mind, each representing a broader trend within the club. Inter fielded six Italian players in the starting lineup, equaling a 20-year record for the most Italian players in a single Serie A match for the club. Federico Dimarco opened the scoring, making him the third most involved defender/wing-back in goal contributions (5 goals, 6 assists) in a single season over the past 20 years, only behind Maicon in the 2009-10 season (17 goal contributions) and Achraf Hakimi in the 2020-21 season (15 goal contributions). Alessandro Bastoni provided an assist for the third consecutive league match, underscoring the growing impact of Inter's defenders.

Inter's defense has become a significant offensive weapon, with four of the team's last five goals coming from defenders. If assists are included, the numbers are even more impressive. Personally, I would give the MVP of this match to Nicolo Barella. He covered the most ground, made 89 touches, completed 70 passes with a 95.7% success rate, successfully executed four dribbles, made two tackles with a 100% success rate, and regained possession five times. He created seven key passes leading to shots, a rare feat in Serie A. Inter’s assistant coach praised Barella, saying, "This has been Barella's highest level season!"

The Rise of Italian Players

The dominance of Italian players in this match highlights a significant shift in Inter's strategy and success. It marks a remarkable change in the role and importance of domestic players at the club. Let's trace the evolution of this trend over the years.

When Suning Group first took over Inter, the club's Chinese office emphasized two strategic goals: increasing the presence of domestic players and pursuing a prudent financial strategy, avoiding unsustainable spending while aiming for long-term success. The latter strategy was somewhat compromised during Antonio Conte's tenure, where €185 million was spent in a single season to bring in stars like Romelu Lukaku, Nicolo Barella, and Achraf Hakimi. While this spending spree delivered a league title, it also triggered financial difficulties that the club is still recovering from. The long-term benefits and drawbacks of this approach may only be fully understood with the passage of time.

The Phases of Change

We can divide the past eight to nine years into three distinct phases regarding the role of Italian players at Inter:

Phase One: Pre-Suning Era

Before Suning’s takeover, Italian players had little presence or influence at Inter. During Erick Thohir's ownership, which saw Inter miss out on Champions League qualification for consecutive years, Italian players were almost an afterthought. For example, in the 2015-16 season, Inter had four Italian players: Eder (a naturalized Italian who didn't play the classic role of a domestic player in the locker room), third-choice goalkeeper Tommaso Berni, benchwarmer Davide Santon, and Danilo D'Ambrosio, who was the only one with some playing impact but was far from being a star.

Phase Two: Conte’s Era

During Antonio Conte's tenure, Italian players served as reliable backups and stabilizers. In the 2020-21 season, Inter's last league-winning season, they relied heavily on stars like Lukaku and Hakimi. However, it was the Italian players who stepped up during the critical moments, especially when the team was eliminated from the Champions League, and morale was low. Conte leveraged the discipline and commitment of players like Andrea Ranocchia and D'Ambrosio, who played crucial roles in helping the team navigate through tough periods.

Phase Three: The Current Season

This season marks the peak of the significance of Italian players at Inter, both in terms of market value and tactical importance. Inter's six highest-valued players include three Italians: Barella, Bastoni, and Dimarco. These players are not just essential; they are core to the team’s strategy, serving as leaders on and off the pitch. Their continuous improvement over the years and Inter's consistent investment in domestic talent, even during financially challenging times, have paid off. This sustained commitment to the initial strategy set by Suning is now bearing fruit.

The Strategic Vision

Why did Suning initially emphasize domestic players? One major reason was the chaotic managerial period during Suning's first year, which saw three different coaches (Frank de Boer, Stefano Pioli, and Stefano Vecchi) and frequent locker room crises involving foreign players. Inter realized that domestic players had significant advantages in terms of loyalty, attitude, and management. For instance, after the recent match, Bastoni revealed in an interview that coach Simone Inzaghi had threatened to substitute him if he couldn't keep up. Bastoni, despite his current stature, accepted this without complaint, illustrating the advantages of having disciplined and dedicated domestic players. This might not have been the case with a star like Lukaku, who could have caused issues with such threats.

The Fruit of Persistence

Inter's unwavering commitment to their domestic player strategy over the past eight years is now yielding significant results. Sticking to a long-term plan, especially amidst financial challenges and shifting management, is commendable. Reflecting on the past eight years, it's evident that strategic consistency, both at the national and club level, has immense value.

As Inter Milan continues to build on this foundation, the role of domestic players will likely remain central to their strategy. The club's ability to adapt, invest wisely, and maintain strategic clarity has set them on a path of sustainable success, showcasing the importance of a solid, long-term vision in achieving lasting achievements in football.