Inter Milan's Hero Writes Second Longest Record in Italian History: Two Traits Define What It Means to Be World-Class

As Italy stepped onto the pitch to face North Macedonia, they found themselves on the edge of a cliff. Coach Luciano Spalletti roared at his players, emphasizing that this was a "Do or Die" match. Having missed the last two World Cups, another failure to qualify for the European Championship would leave Italy, a four-time world champion, in shambles. Thankfully, despite Jorginho's attempt to add drama by missing a penalty in what should have been a straightforward victory, Italy still managed to defeat North Macedonia, securing a chance to qualify by drawing in their final match. The man who opened the door to victory was an unexpected hero: Matteo Darmian.

In a tactical corner situation, the ball was sent to the back post. Amidst a forest of tall defenders, Darmian emerged to score. This goal earned him a record that may seem unusual at first glance, but upon reflection, reveals its greatness: it was 2,960 days since Darmian last scored for Italy on October 10, 2015. This gap is the second longest in Italy's history, just behind the record of 3,122 days. The lengthy interval wasn't due to Darmian's lack of ability but rather a tragic twist of fate.

In 2014 and 2015, Darmian was in his prime, performing excellently for the national team. However, due to the tumultuous tenure of former Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura, Darmian's national team career was derailed. Ventura's tenure ended in controversy when he clashed with powerful locker room figures and was subsequently sidelined after a player revolt. Darmian, loyal to Ventura, did not join the mutiny. The Italy team, with Ventura rendered powerless, was crushed in the World Cup playoffs, and Ventura became the scapegoat. Darmian, by association, bore the brunt of the fallout and was excluded from the national team for six long years.

Six years later, as those influential players faded from the national scene and it became clear that Ventura wasn't solely to blame for Italy's failures, Darmian was recalled. His return was inevitable, and breaking records was only a matter of time. Darmian's record is not just a personal redemption but also a signpost in the grand drama of Italian football's rise and fall.

As a substitute, Darmian has repeatedly proven his worth in numerous matches. Having such a player in a top team is a tremendous asset. Many do not fully understand Darmian's value, but this match provided a clear answer. Before the game against North Macedonia, we emphasized that the right-back position would be crucial due to the opponent's characteristics and Spalletti's tactical plans. With Giovanni Di Lorenzo suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, the situation was even more dire. Spalletti had no choice but to entrust Darmian with the role.

This scenario is not unfamiliar to Inter Milan. Last season, when a certain Parisian star withdrew from the squad over a contract dispute, Inter faced a similar crisis. This season, with Pavard injured and Denzel Dumfries showing signs of fatigue, the Nerazzurri have experienced multiple crises across different positions. In such times, coaches have no choice but to gamble on Darmian. And in dozens of matches—not just a handful but dozens—Darmian has repaid that trust, performing consistently above the team's average level. Even when playing in different positions or being called into action without adequate warm-up, he has never disappointed, often contributing crucial goals or assists.

Players like Darmian, who are always ready, can shoulder heavy responsibilities, accept being a substitute without causing trouble, and offer great value for money in terms of salary, are rare gems for any top team. In today's football world, there are many "utility players," but few reach Darmian's level. In the realm of utility players, Darmian is undoubtedly world-class.

Another of Darmian's traits deserves mention. As you know, modern football is becoming increasingly "athletic," and Serie A is growing more "rugged." Tall, muscular players with poor technical skills are often overly praised, while those with high technical precision and intelligence are criticized for not being physical enough. This trend, in my opinion, is a key reason for the decline of Italian football. Abandoning the technical foundation of the "Little World Cup" era to emulate the styles of leagues like Norway, England's lower divisions, or Denmark's second tier has led Italy astray. It's no surprise that Italy was overpowered by Scandinavian teams in World Cup qualifiers.

In this context, a player like Darmian, who doesn't boast towering height or a muscular frame and doesn't rely on brute strength, becomes even more valuable. The match against North Macedonia was a grueling battle with 94 duels and 31 fouls. Darmian, facing physically superior opponents, held his own in both attack and defense. Sky Sports commentator Veronica highlighted, "I can't remember the last time Darmian made a mistake," to which guest analyst Giuseppe Bergomi retorted, "You're exaggerating. He has made 3-4 mistakes in the past few months." Even so, Bergomi's usually stoic demeanor showed pride, as if he saw a younger version of himself in Darmian.

In an era where physicality is often overemphasized in Italian football, Darmian, with his modest physical attributes, uses his intelligent play and solid technique to make every defensive action and touch of the ball precise and effective. He represents a refreshing counterpoint to the prevalent trend of overvaluing sheer physicality. Many experts on Western social media argue that "Serie A is now too muscle-bound, and players like Darmian are too few." This sentiment underscores his unique value.

In summary, Darmian has repeatedly helped both Italy and Inter Milan navigate unexpected crises, demonstrating that as a versatile utility player and a non-physical type of player, his abilities in certain aspects are truly world-class in modern football.