Inter Milan on a mission: a team ready at the right moment
Inter Milan defeat Cagliari, go +6 over Napoli, and prepare in the best way for Bayern Munich
Inter Milan defeat Cagliari, go +6 over Napoli, and prepare in the best way for Bayern Munich.
Inter Milan stick to the script, beat Cagliari, banish the ghosts of Parma, and get ready in the best possible way for the return leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich.
The Italian newpaper Corriere della Sera writes via Fcinter1908.it:
“Inter Milan have the right legs, the right mindset, and the adrenaline needed to respond to any setbacks — always lurking around the corner.
With Bayern approaching, the Easter trip to Bologna, and the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against Milan, Inzaghi's side are well aware of the moment.
They beat Cagliari and, for the first time (albeit temporarily), move six points clear of Napoli, who play today evening against Empoli.
The Nerazzurri dominate the first half, then indulge in a post-halftime nap. But unlike what happened in Parma, the scare lasts less than ten minutes.
The climbing specialist Bisseck and heads in a corner from Calhanoglu, confirming that Inter Milan are the top team in goals from set pieces (21) and Cagliari the worst in conceding them (18).
The happy ending comes after the shock from another brilliant header, this time from Piccoli, left unmarked on a cross by Augello.
Sommer yells at his teammates (a rare sight), while Inzaghi is frozen on the spot.
The reason is simple: after a high-intensity, high-quality first half and the warnings he gave during the break, the last thing Inzaghi expected was to see the match suddenly reopen.
But those wake-up calls help keep the tension high — to avoid feeling ‘invincible’ and above mistakes.
Even at 3-1, it takes a crucial goal-line clearance from De Vrij, once again denying Piccoli. The ice on which Inter Milan skate every three or four days is getting thinner and thinner, but that doesn't stop them from enjoying the glide, the movements, the technique.
And in this collective enjoyment (Saturday wearing the special kit honoring Valentino Rossi [Italian former professional motorcycle road racer, Editor’s note]), the Nerazzurri resemble the team from April 2023 — when the march to Istanbul began — and from April 2024, with the second star now within reach.
It's true that the charm of analogies can be misleading, but this Inter Milan looks like a team on a mission: that doesn’t mean everything will go perfectly — too many variables are at play — but it does mean that Inzaghi has arrived at the right moment fully prepared.”