Inter Milan beat Genoa and move on from Champions exit
No backlash as Nerazzurri extend lead to +13
No backlash as Inter Milan extend lead to +13
Inter Milan respond in the only language that truly matters in football: results. After the painful Champions League elimination, the Nerazzurri defeated Genoa and stretched their lead to +13, awaiting AC Milan’s reply.
As highlighted by Corriere della Sera via Fcinter1908, there was no psychological backlash, no identity crisis.
The Champions League exit left a visible layer of fatigue, especially early in the second half, but no fresh scars. Cristian Chivu’s side know what they want and how to get it, securing their fourteenth win in the last fifteen matches with one goal in each half.
This marks only the third time in club history that Inter Milan have reached at least 67 points after 27 matchdays.
The previous two occasions ended in record-breaking Scudetto triumphs: in 2006-07 under Roberto Mancini and in 2023-24 with Simone Inzaghi during the second star season.
Now, with the best debuting coach by points-per-game average since the 1930s, the signs are promising once again.
The decisive crossroads looms: the derby on March 8. Inter Milan have not beaten AC Milan in six consecutive matches.
They know the 21st Scudetto could still arrive even with a defeat, but a derby victory would paint the title race in entirely different colors.
Dimarco and Calhanoglu seal the Deal
Before that, however, comes the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg away at Como on Tuesday. For Chivu, calculations are best avoided.
With Lautaro Martínez sidelined since the defeat to Bodø/Glimt, the forwards have yet to step up in the last two games.
Against Genoa, the difference came from elsewhere: a stunning strike from Federico Dimarco after half an hour, effectively an additional attacker, and a second-half penalty converted by Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
The spot-kick was awarded for a handball by Amorim on a cross from Henrique, who had moments earlier struck the post via a goalkeeper deflection, jolting Inter Milan awake from a sluggish start to the second half.
No crisis. No collapse. Just a team that keeps marching.