Inter's 56-Meter Wonder Goal: Third Longest in Serie A History, Teammates Say It Was Luck, Coach Reveals the Secret

Inter Milan's recent 2-0 victory over Frosinone was not as straightforward as expected. The first half saw missed opportunities, and as the game seemed to head towards a goalless draw at halftime, Coach Simone Inzaghi grew increasingly anxious on the sidelines. With Inter having played in the Champions League, their fitness levels were subpar, and prolonged attacks without scoring inevitably carried unnecessary risks. It was in this tense atmosphere that a moment destined to be remembered by fans for years to come occurred: Federico Dimarco scored a stunning goal from 56 meters out, breaking the deadlock. While the broadcasting network claimed the shot was from 56.47 meters, we will rely on OPTA's data, which puts the distance at 56.08 meters. This goal ranks as the third longest in Serie A since comprehensive data collection began in the 2004-05 season, trailing only Roncaglia (January 2013, Fiorentina vs. Napoli) and Biraghi (February 2023, Verona vs. Fiorentina).

Dimarco's goal is a contender for the Serie A Goal of the Season and a potential nominee for the FIFA Puskás Award. La Gazzetta dello Sport praised it as "a moment that showcases the allure of football, a masterpiece a player can take pride in for years." The goal's xG (expected goals) was 0, indicating that, algorithmically, it was an impossible chance. What defines an "impossible opportunity"? What does "creating something out of nothing" mean? This goal epitomizes both.

Following Dimarco's goal, a series of amusing reactions ensued. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer held his head in disbelief at such an extraordinary goal. Dimarco sprinted towards the ultras' stands, ready to celebrate, only to be interrupted by Lautaro Martinez, Nicolò Barella, and other teammates rushing to join in. Barella even playfully smacked Dimarco's face, seemingly saying, "What are you showing off for? We all know it was a fluke." Dimarco grinned sheepishly, making for a heartwarming scene.

Was this a deliberate lob or a botched cross? Post-match, Dimarco said he saw Denzel Dumfries and also noticed the goalkeeper was out of position. "Was it an intentional shot? Yes," he confirmed, but then humorously added, "Thankfully it went in, or I would have received unimaginable criticism!" This masterpiece drew attention to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who technically provided the assist. Mathematically speaking, it was a memorable assist: Mkhitaryan has now contributed to five goals (two goals, three assists) in 12 Serie A appearances this season, matching his total from last season. "Dimarco's goal? We all thought he was aiming to cross," Mkhitaryan said. "From my perspective, he saw Dumfries. But no matter what, a goal is a goal. Should he buy us drinks for the assist? Without my pass, he wouldn't have scored! Ha..." For someone known for his poker face in front of microphones, Mkhitaryan’s beaming smile spoke volumes about the current positive atmosphere at Inter.

Coach Inzaghi provided a definitive answer, ending the debate. "Dimarco's goal? Clearly, it was a world-class goal, and he deserved it," Inzaghi stated. "What was I thinking at that moment? We are used to such feats in training." The coach's message was simple: whether the goal was a fluke doesn't matter. What's important is that Dimarco has scored such goals numerous times in training, and the team is accustomed to his brilliance.

It's widely known that Dimarco isn't a physically gifted player. His height, strength, speed, and cardiovascular endurance are all average or even subpar. Therefore, "muscle enthusiasts" and "physicality fans" naturally dismiss him. This season, Dimarco has faced criticism for his frequent long-range shots. Of his 19 shots this season, 11 were from outside the box, with many mid-range efforts and few close-range attempts. However, as previously mentioned, Inter's current status in Serie A means every team they face resorts to tough, grinding, defensive play. Inter cannot always create clear scoring opportunities in set plays, necessitating occasional long-range attempts to add unpredictability and balance between spontaneity and methodical play. While Dimarco's long-range shots have attracted criticism, he has scored two world-class goals worth three points each, underscoring their value.

Dimarco is arguably the best candidate for this role, not just because he is a "son of the Curva Nord" and can handle criticism, but also because he knows his physical limitations and often stays after team training for extra practice. Years of additional training have given him strengths like "long pass accuracy" and "long-range shooting feel." In life, some people’s strengths are God-given, while others’ are hard-earned through sweat. Some believe that God-given talents are superior, and self-earned skills are lowly. However, football’s rules of the game state that how a player acquires their skills is irrelevant; what matters is their ability to win matches and help the team.

Thus, when this extraordinary goal was scored, equally valuable was Inter’s exceptional team spirit and the coach's emphasis on the truth that "ten years of hard work pays off."