Inter close to perfect in Serie A title win – Mina Rzouki

Each season at Inter, Inzaghi has refined his squad further, learning from past mistakes to create a fine team in his image, playing the kind of football that has thrilled his harshest critics and entertained neutral fans.

Always speaking well, he refuses to antagonise opponents and never indulged in the mind games Juventus began. He made sure to show respect to Stefano Pioli, his opponent in the derby and the man he took over from at Lazio.

He lost the title to him in 2022 but finally won his first Scudetto this year, in the Derby di Milano of all games.

As for the new arrivals, Sommer has kept more clean sheets than any other keeper in Europe’s top-five leagues so far this season while Benjamin Pavard, Marcus Thuram and Davide Frattesi have proved central to the team’s success.

Fans soon forgot Lukaku when Thuram opened the scoring in a 4-0 drubbing of Fiorentina early in the season then scored in the derby the following week – a 5-1 win against their city rivals that saw Inter lay down a marker.

This team was aware of its strength and was targeting trophies.

Modern football suggests high-value investments must be made to win, yet Inter have reminded us excellent planning is key to success.

Taking a collaborative approach to team building, chief executive Beppe Marotta, Inzaghi and the rest of Inter’s management have showed that buying well does not necessarily mean buying expensive.

“The human element is essential, as you can have great players, but if they are not also great men, it becomes more difficult to form a team,” explained Marotta, who now boasts 10 Serie A titles as a director – eight with Juventus and two with Inter.