Inter Milan’s Resurgence: Inzaghi Channels Rocky Spirit

Inter Milan demonstrated their championship mettle with a convincing victory over Fiorentina, just days after suffering their worst defeat under Simone Inzaghi’s tenure. The coach executed flawlessly in match preparation, tactical decisions, and post-game communications, adeptly addressing both personal criticisms and refereeing controversies.

The match was not without its contentious moments. Inter’s opening goal stemmed from a corner kick that shouldn’t have been awarded, as the ball had already crossed the line before Bastoni’s cross. VAR protocol prevented intervention, frustrating Fiorentina’s coach Palladino, who faced a similar situation last season while managing Monza against Juventus.

Another debatable decision involved a penalty awarded for a handball by Darmian, leading to Fiorentina’s equalizer and Inter’s protests. These incidents highlight the ongoing confusion in Italian refereeing under Rocchi’s leadership, potentially reviving the concept of “compensation” – where one error leads to another in an attempt to balance things out.

Inzaghi’s handling of criticism has been noteworthy. He faces a no-win situation: winning the Scudetto is seen as merely meeting expectations given Inter’s strength and wage bill, while any failure is squarely blamed on him. This narrative, crafted by others, distorts reality and is fundamentally unfair. Unlike more combative coaches like Conte or Gasperini, Inzaghi absorbs criticism without faltering, reminiscent of Rocky Balboa’s resilience. His approach has endeared him to his players and many observers.