Mastery with three red cards
Inter Milan celebrates historic championship title
April 23, 2024, 5:49 a.m
In the Milan city derby, of all places, Inter secured the championship in Italy for the 20th time. Now there is an award with symbolic power. The championship looks like a walk in the park for a long time, but things get really rough after AC scores a late goal.
A big fireworks display in front of the San Siro, a powerful pyro show on the Piazza del Duomo, plus an extremely exuberant cabin party with plenty of champagne: the professionals from Inter Milan duly celebrated the 20th championship title in the club’s history. “We have gone down in Serie A history,” celebrated captain Lautaro Martinez after the Nerazzurri crowned an outstanding season with the Scudetto in the famous Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan (2-1).
“We suffered a lot. We worked hard for it. What can I say: This is the best thing in my life as a footballer,” said Martinez on DAZN and praised his team: “They’re a great team.” With a bottle of champagne in his hands, former German youth international Yann Aurel Bisseck was also in the middle of the celebrations; he had started seven league games this season. After winning the title 2-1 (1-0), hundreds of fans flocked to the square in front of the Milan Cathedral despite the rain to celebrate Inter’s second star.
Many other ex-professionals from the Bundesliga hopped along to the party in the dressing room: Hakan Calhanoglu, who is playing a central role at Inter this season, goalkeeper Yann Sommer, Benjamin Pavard, but also Marcus Thuram and Henrich Mchitarjan. In addition, coach Simone Inzaghi, who was once a champion with Lazio as a player (2000), celebrated his first title win as a coach in Serie A.
The 2023 Champions League finalist had no problems winning the championship at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium for a long time. Francesco Acerbi paved the way for Inter with his opening goal in the 18th minute. Former Gladbacher Marcus Thuram (49th) scored what was actually a reassuring lead with his twelfth Serie A goal of the season in the sold-out San Siro – until Fikayo Tomori (80th) scored the next goal for the home team. In the hectic final phase with a total of three red cards for Theo Hernandez and Davide Calarbria (both AC) as well as Denzel Dumfries (Inter), the guests extended their lead over time.
The title has a special meaning for the fans. In Italy, there is a star above the coat of arms for every tenth championship title; so far, Inter and Milan were tied for 19 national championships. The Nerazzurri now won the race against their rivals for the second star.