SAN FRANCISCO, December 25, (THEWILL) – The 2009/2010 football season was the last time Inter Milan won the domestic league in Serie A but what a season it was. The Italian side achieved the highest point of their history by completing an unforgettable Treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League, becoming the sixth European club to complete the treble and the only Italian club to achieve this feat to date.
Such was the dominance of the clubs from the city of Milan at the time that, in the following year, city rivals AC Milan beat them to the domestic honour. It was the first season under new head coach Massimiliano Allegri and they secured their 18th Scudetto, their first since 2003/2004, after a goalless draw against Roma for the point they needed to take the trophy.
Then, the most successful club in the history of Italian football returned to the podium. Juventus claimed the title from AC Milan the following 2011/2012 season and have held on to it ever since. In so doing, they have achieved an unprecedented number of consecutive triumphs in the local league competition. That is a record nine seasons of unbroken grip on the trophy.
However, it appears this season will be different. Admittedly, it is early days and there is a lot that can happen in the time left that can swing the momentum in directions as yet unfathomed but there is renewed confidence and determination to get results from the Milan teams. That resurgence when juxtaposed with the current form of the Torino-based Old Lady presents a contrast that may very well determine how the season plays out.
The return of veteran Swedish international and ever-reliant Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Milan has fanned to flames a rejuvenation that is evident in the results the team regularly churns out. The aging but mentally and physically fit attacker spearheaded the team’s resilience until his injury setback, becoming the league’s leading scorer and helping the side to an unbeaten start before Christmas that has placed them comfortably at the pinnacle of Italian football.
That form carried them through from the domestic league to continental efficiency. Milan, with Ibrahimovic’s goals and all round contributions helping out, easily topped their group’s standings with only one loss and one draw to confirm their progress to the knockout rounds of the UEFA competition.
Their city rivals also have been superlative this term. They have had only one minus in their domestic game which was a home defeat against the impervious AC Milan with the ageless Ibrahimovic putting in a brace early enough to make sure Lukaku’s goal later was insufficient to make a difference. Apart from that, they have maintained a strong and convincing performance to make it clear that they are in contention for the 2020/2021 Scudetto.
Unfortunately, that has not translated to performance in Europe. Although they began the competition brightly, a revived Real Madrid stole their thunder, flogging them home and away. That, and an unfortunate goalless draw away to Shakhtar Donetsk put paid to their UEFA Champions League campaign as they ended bottom of the group and crashed out unceremoniously.
However, that could just be what their domestic objectives need. Without needing to expend limited resources prosecuting football campaigns across Europe and in the local league froth as that is with dangers of injury, fatigue and burnout, they can now focus all energies towards catching up and overtaking Milan when the season resumes after the Christmas break, thereby improving their chances of bringing an end to Juve’s streak of trophy victories.
For Juve, it appears Ronaldo is not the answer to all questions. When Fiorentina beat them last midweek, the Portuguese star was one of the best players on the pitch and that still was insufficient to prevent the loss. Though Ronaldo has not been in his typical devastating form, no one else seems to be picking up the slack. Alvaro Morata cannot be accused of underperforming but that has not been up to par just as the defence has not given the keeper the protection to help Juve keep up with the stiff 2020/2021 competition.
This is the rude awakening that new manager Andrea Pirlo has had to deal with in his very first stint as substantive coach. It is uncertain what his legacy as a manager will be for the club at which he dedicated some five years of his active playing career to serving dutifully, but if the current trend holds, he might have a hard time keeping the firm grip the Bianconeri have had on the domestic league these past unbroken nine years. And it will be a sad day when Pirlo is the one who relinquishes that honour. But, he has not done enough to justify his appointment, so far.
Early in January, on the second matchday after resumption of hostilities, Milan will host Juventus at the the Guiseppe Meazza. The result of that fixture may play a huge role in determining how the season will conclude. What it all boils down to is that unlike in some seasons ago, Juve will definitely not be running away with the title this season as there is not pathway to an easy defense of the title they have carried for nine years running.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
