Inter Milan concluded the Serie A season with a 2-0 win over 10 Como on Friday, thanks to Stephen de Vrigi on the 20th and Joaquin Correa’s goals in the 51st minute. However, Napoli had nerves in a 2-0 victory over Cagliari to win the title, so the result was not enough to ultimately maintain their Scudetto crown.
Inter chased Napoli with one point on the final day and could overtake them to slip from the leaders. Despite playing their role in Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Simone Inzaghi’s side was forced to settle for second place in the attractive title race.
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For Como, Sergi Roberto, Assen Diao and Alberto Docena missed the collision on the last day of their injuries, and Edoardo Gordaniga had to sit it on a yellow card suspension.
For the last time in his professional career, Pepe Reina stood between the posts. Fullbacks Mergim Vojvoda and Alex Valle have centre backs Ignace van der Brempt and Ivan Smolcic lined up on defense. The midfield trio consisted of Maxi Moperone, Maxensqueiqueret and Lucas Da Cunha, while striker Anastasios Duvikas supported the broader positions of NicoPas and Gabriel Strefazza.
As for Intel, they still had no long-term absentee Valentin Carbony, and Piotrzeilinsky and Benjamin Prabbad. Inzagi slightly deviated from the usual 3-5-2 form, and this time he deployed his subordinates to 3-4-2-1.
With Yann Sommer at the finish line, Carlos Augusto was selected in the back three along with De Vrij and Yann Bisseck. Hakan Karhanoglu was joined by Krisjan Aslani in the middle of the park, with both Nicolo Barrera and Henrif Mkhitaryan resting for a bit, but Barrera came out of the bench in the final third of the match. Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco played on the side. In the attack, Correa and Nikola Zarefsky supported Mehdi Taremi. The regular duo of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram began the game and maintained their energy for the upcoming Champions League finals.
Important moments
Inter attacked early through Dalmian. Dalmian’s volley from DiMarco’s cross was dramatically cleared by Maxio Pelone. The breakthrough came in the 21st minute. Because Stephen de Vrizi drove the header from the corner of Hakan Karhanogur.
Inter had the opportunity to expand their lead, but veteran keeper Pepeleina made his final professional appearance and rejected Taremi with a fantastic one-on-one suspension. However, Reina’s farewell took a sour turn moment before halftime when Var Review brought the red card for Taremi’s final foul.
In just six minutes into the second half, Joaquin Correa cut inside the marker and then added a second with the composed finish.
However, hopes to retain the title disappeared as Napolitan’s Romell Lukaku won the net almost at the same time, confirming Napolitan as the champion, and settling Inter to second despite the strong finale.
Focus on the Champions League final
Nerazzurri still has the opportunity to remember 2024/25 season 1 as they face Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s Champions League final. And as I suffered a broken heart at the Scudetto race, I need to forget about that disappointment and redirect it with a focus on what awaits me at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Speaking to Dazn after the match, De Vrij admitted that his team could and should have done more throughout the season. As it stands, they didn’t deserve to maintain the title.
“We did our part, we knew we were dependent on others,” he said. “We couldn’t do any more today, but we have to put that behind us and prepare for the final.”
“We didn’t deserve (the title) because if we weren’t the top after 38 games, everyone at the top deserves it, but they feel they can do more in the league.
“I have a great desire to have a great final next week. I worked really hard this year and did very well in the Champions League. I’ll do everything I can.”
