22nd May 2010 – Inter Milan became Champions of Europe to celebrate an unprecedented treble following success in Italy by topping Serie A and winning the Coppa Italia. In the process, Inter Milan became the first Italian team in history to win the treble and, as a result, secured their place in the history books. However, Inter would be bought back to reality soon enough. Prior to the final in Madrid, speculation was mounting that the 2010 Champions League Final would be Joe Mourinho’s last in charge of the Milan giants, speculation that would, ultimately, prove correct following the Portuguese tactician’s exit from the San Siro and move to Spain as head coach of Real Madrid.
Inter President, Massimo Moratti, opted to hire former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as the man charged with taking Inter Milan forward, a mountain of a challenge considering the achievements of his predecessor. Yet, despite victories in both the 2010 Supercoppa Italiana and FIFA World Club Cup, Inter’s domestic form was suffering severely as they languished in the league shadows of high flying rivals AC Milan. In Europe, despite being one of the early season favourites to retain the trophy, the Nerazzurri only managed to finish second in Group A behind Champions League newcomers Tottenham Hotspur. Rumours were rife that Benitez was to be sacked, rumours Moratti continuously denied but, with form slipping and the players reportedly unhappy with Benitez, the inevitable finally happened, albeit after a ‘back me or sack me’ ultimatum from the Spaniard, and Benitez found himself out of a job and Inter without a manager.
Moratti admitted that he had curbed his quick-fire sacking attitude of his previous days but found it difficult to persist with Benitez as Inter found themselves struggling to comprehend with life in the upper echelons of Serie A. Quick to find a replacement for Benitez, Inter made a controversial choice to hire former AC Milan player and manager Leonardo on an 18-month deal. Leaving the Italian giants after one season through mutual consent, the move certainly raised eyebrows across Italy. Moratti, however, was convinced that Leonardo could push Inter back up the table and through Europe and he has certainly gone about his business in spectacular fashion. At the time of Leonardo’s appointment, Inter were, seemingly, out of the title race as rivals AC Milan continued the stamp their mark on Serie A. At the time of writing, the Nerazzurri find themselves in 3rd place, five points behind first placed Milan and are gearing themselves up for a last sixteen showdown with Bayern Munich in a repeat of last season’s Champions League Final.
I’ll admit when Leonardo was announced as Inter’s head coach and took it with a pinch of salt and considered a stability move by Moratti with a secure appointment to be made in the summer but with the way Leonardo has picked up Benitez’s Inter, dusted them down and sent them on their way has impressed not only myself but the likes of Moratti and co. must surely be considering tying the Brazilian down to a deal that will extend his stay beyond 2012. At the moment, Inter must take each game as it comes and continue the rich vein of form the currently find themselves in. However, Leonardo must surely have one eye fixed on the Milan derby at the beginning of March as a way to make up some serious ground on their rivals whilst the penultimate game sees Inter travel to second placed Napoli which could turn out to be more important in May than it does now.
Either way, things at Inter Milan have certainly improved under the stewardship of Leonardo. Back in the title race and the dream of becoming the first team to win back-to-back Champions League trophies still alive, Leonardo has most definitely got his team playing to their strengths much to the dismay of their Serie A rivals and if Inter can keep their form up, there will be a happy ending for the Nerazzurri after a dreary start to the season.
Anyway, I have got to go.
Laters,
Macca
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