What Defines a Rivalry? Inter Milan's Celebration Night Filled with Creative Taunts at AC Milan and Singing the Praises of Pioli

In the world of football, what defines a rivalry? Beyond the basic sentiment of "I thrive when you suffer, I glory when you falter," there's another crucial element: if a rival dares to insult on your turf, you must return the favor a hundredfold; ninety-nine times just won't do. Thus, Inter Milan's championship celebration became a stage for numerous taunts aimed at AC Milan and Juventus, showcasing the unique "derby culture" of Italian football.

Some of the taunts were relatively polite, such as the banner that read, "Some people lift the championship trophy, while others just raise the stadium volume." This was a jab at AC Milan staff who had turned up the volume to disrupt Inter's celebrations after the last derby. Other taunts were more cutting, like the fan who mocked AC Milan for six consecutive derby defeats, conceding 14 goals, and claimed to now understand the city's "truth."

Some taunts were more cryptic to outsiders, such as emphasizing the 14th championship instead of the 20th, insisting that Inter has now achieved the "14+6" title, which is significant. A Real Madrid fan might ask, "What does the 14th mean?" The 14th title refers to the 2005-06 season's championship, awarded to Inter after their rivals were penalized for match-fixing in the Calciopoli scandal. Although it wasn't won on the field, it remains a symbol of pride for Inter fans—a testament to their integrity in a landscape where their two century-old rivals have faced relegation for corruption. Despite numerous domestic and international titles, Inter's ultimate pride is that they've "never been relegated," which is an attitude in itself.

Some taunts were universally understandable. For instance, Inter fans retaliated against Zlatan Ibrahimović's taunts from two years ago when AC Milan won the title. Polite responses were mocking; less polite ones involved expletives. Some taunts were creative, like the "0 Euro currency" featuring Hakan Çalhanoğlu. Çalhanoğlu proved his worth in this celebration match, highlighting Inter's shrewd acquisition from AC Milan for free, despite Milan's supposed financial acumen.

The simplest and most direct taunt was the near 80,000 fans at San Siro loudly singing "Pioli is on fire," with each wave of singing repeated six times. Why six times? That requires an understanding of the recent history of the Milan derby.

These actions inevitably sparked some controversy. Why would Inter turn their celebration into such an aggressive display? Why make taunting their arch-rivals the primary form of celebration? One reason is that celebrating their success while mocking long-time rivals is an inherent part of Italy's football culture. Another reason is that two years ago, AC Milan's championship celebration involved numerous insults directed at Inter, and now it's payback time.

It's essential to note that the taunts two years ago came from AC Milan players, while the current responses are from Inter fans. In the football world, what the team does and what the public does are entirely different concepts. Understanding the story of Çalhanoğlu, who was heavily insulted by AC Milan during their celebration, helps illuminate this culture. Çalhanoğlu's transfer from AC Milan to Inter was justified as moving from a weaker team to a stronger one, which he termed as a "career advancement." This statement infuriated the entire AC Milan fanbase, making him the prime target of their taunts post-victory.

Now, with Inter having defeated AC Milan six times in a row and securing their second star before their rivals, Çalhanoğlu becoming the MVP of the celebration match pushes this story to its climax. "Inter is everything," said Çalhanoğlu after the game. "This has elevated my level!" Two years ago, this statement might have lacked credibility, but now it carries much more weight.

This is derby culture—an endless cycle of humiliation and revenge. However, in this continuous cycle of settling scores, hatred only deepens, making it impossible to distinguish right from wrong, leaving only love, hate, and loyalty.

Unlike the absolute rivalry with Juventus, the relationship between Inter and AC Milan is more nuanced. They compete and yet have to cooperate (for instance, regarding the stadium issue). They are deadly rivals competing for fans and resources, yet they are neighbors who must maintain communication and sometimes even allies (like opposing the Milan city government). They also drive each other to improve, forming a unique fan culture between the Milanese giants.

That night, this culture was showcased in various ways, creating an unforgettable and unique classic.