Match-Fixing Allegations Against Inter? Italian Journalist Defends Club: It’s Just a Serie A Quirk, Juventus, Milan, and Napoli Have Done Worse

In the last round of the league, Inter Milan suffered a surprising defeat against Sassuolo. Dubbed the "Green Barca," Sassuolo’s victory was not enough to secure their escape from relegation but was still a much-needed three points. Interestingly, over 20% of the points Sassuolo earned this season came from beating the reigning champions, a fact that has sparked significant controversy. The prevailing theory among fans and pundits is that Inter CEO Beppe Marotta’s close relationship with Sassuolo’s chief Giovanni Carnevali, along with the numerous transactions between the clubs in recent years, led to Inter “selling” the match. According to this viewpoint, Inter did not even attempt to win, essentially gifting Sassuolo the victory.

This perspective has gained traction not only among disgruntled bettors but also on Western social media, where Juventus and Milan fans have condemned Inter. Even many Inter supporters have expressed concern, suggesting that the club needs to reflect and correct course. They worry that if Inter becomes accustomed to such behavior, it might pave the way for match-fixing accusations, likening the situation to a potential “paid relegation” scandal.

However, those familiar with global football leagues understand that, towards the end of the season, a team’s desire to win (known as "battle intent") often plays a more significant role than its actual strength ("battle power"). Human factors influence these outcomes, and when a match is relatively inconsequential, it's not uncommon for a stronger team to lose to a more motivated but weaker opponent. Players without the pressure of needing a victory might lack the necessary drive, especially if they are concerned about injuries ahead of summer tournaments. Meanwhile, their opponents, who are fighting for survival, might put in an extraordinary effort, compensating for their lack of talent with sheer determination.

This phenomenon is not unusual and does not necessarily defy the logic of football. Similar occurrences are common in Europe’s top five leagues and across South American leagues. In Asian leagues like Japan's J-League and Korea’s K-League, relegation-threatened teams often struggle for wins for two-thirds of the season, only to launch a series of unexpected victories towards the end. In city derbies, despite the home crowd’s hostility, stronger teams can sometimes be shockingly defeated by their relegation-battling rivals. These events are not newsworthy; they are routine.

Before their match against Sassuolo, Inter Milan had spent two to three days celebrating, parading, and reveling in their success. It’s understandable that after such an extended period of festivities, getting back into a competitive mindset was challenging—akin to the sluggishness many feel returning to work after a long holiday. Meanwhile, Sassuolo, fighting for survival, played with fierce determination. The difference in intensity was evident in various metrics, such as running distance, sprints, successful duels, and overall tenacity, leading to Inter's defeat.

Renowned journalist Tancredi Palmeri countered the "Inter sold points" theory by highlighting that it is common for Serie A champions to suffer unexpected losses after securing the title. He noted that this trend is more prevalent with Juventus, Milan, and Napoli than with Inter. Palmeri provided several examples to substantiate his point.

In the 2022-23 season, after Napoli secured the title early, they immediately suffered upsets against Monza (0-2) and Bologna (2-2). In the 2019-20 season, Juventus clinched the title with two games to spare but then lost 0-2 to Cagliari and 1-3 to Roma. In the 2018-19 season, Juventus won the title five rounds early but managed three draws and two losses in their final five games against teams like Sampdoria, Roma, Torino, and Atalanta, all of which were fighting for European competition spots. Similarly, in the 2015-16 season, after winning the title three rounds early, Juventus faced three teams in their final games, winning only against already-relegated Verona while drawing one and losing one against teams needing points. AC Milan has also seen similar patterns. For instance, in the 2003-04 season, after securing the title two rounds early, they drew one and lost one in their final two matches against relegation-threatened teams. In the 1993-94 season, after winning the title two rounds early, they also drew one and lost one against Cagliari and Reggina, both fighting to avoid relegation.

Palmeri’s extensive list of examples suggests that it is not unusual for already-crowned champions to drop points against desperate teams. Thus, he questioned why Inter is being singled out for accusations of match-fixing. If this logic were applied consistently, Juventus, Milan, Napoli, and numerous other champions across Europe would all need to be scrutinized and judged.

In the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen, after a season of strong performances, failed to win in their last two matches once they had secured the title. Similarly, in La Liga, Barcelona, having lost their chance at the championship, has recently struggled with a lower win rate. At the end of a grueling season featuring league matches, European competitions, and international qualifiers, with major tournaments like the European Championship and Copa America on the horizon, it's unsurprising that teams with heavy player loads and no immediate stakes might lose to more motivated opponents.

In light of these realities, singling out Inter and accusing them of match-fixing seems an overreaction. The broader context of football dynamics at the season's end shows that these situations are not exceptional but rather part of the sport's unpredictable nature. Inter’s loss to Sassuolo is more a testament to the unique pressures and motivations of late-season matches than evidence of any wrongdoing.