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Scudetto Spotlight: How Inter Won The 2009/10 Scudetto
Goal.com looks back at how the treble hopefuls secured their 18th Serie A title, match by match...
17-May-2010 2:40:00 PM
By Adam Scime
Week 1: Inter 1-1 Bari
Inter started the defence of their title with a surprise 1-1 draw at home to newly-promoted Bari. The Nerazzurri took the lead through a Samuel Eto’o penalty but were pegged back by a Vitali Kutuzov goal.
Week 2: Milan 0-4 Inter
They responded emphatically to their opening day disappointment by thrashing local rivals Milan 4-0 in a very one-sided derby. Diego Milito converted a spot-kick and also set up Thiago Motta and Maicon before Dejan Stankovic added a fourth. It also marked Wesley Sneijder’s debut.
Week 3: Inter 2-0 Parma
The Nerazzurri left it late to defeat a spirited Parma side in Round 3. It took 70 minutes and a moment of magic from Eto’o to break the deadlock, who curled in from outside the area. Milito made the points safe by finishing off a counter-attack.
Week 4: Cagliari 1-2 Inter
A disappointing performace at the Stadio Sant’ Elia was salvaged by Milito. The Isolani took the lead with a first-half Jeda penalty, but the Argentine hit a quick-fire brace early in the second-half and he and his team-mates held on for the win. Jose Mourinho also was dismissed for protesting.
Week 5: Inter 3-1 Napoli
No one could accuse the Beneamata of starting slowly in this match. After five minutes, Eto’o and Milito had given the hosts a 2-0 advantage, Lucio added another after half an hour and it was easy street from there on even if Ezequiel Lavezzi pulled one back.
Week 6: Sampdoria 1-0 Inter
Inter tasted their first defeat at the Marassi. Young full-back Davide Santon’s error was punished as striker Giampaolo Pazzini scored a late winner. At the time, the Blucerchiati leaped-frogged to the top of the standings.
Week 7: Inter 2-1 Udinese
Looking to rebound, the giants needed an injury-time winner from Sneijder to get back on track. Stankovic’s stunning opener had been cancelled out by capocannoniere Antonio Di Natale before the Dutch international’s late heroics.
Week 8: Genoa 0-5 Inter
Mourinho’s men made sure they would not suffer two defeats at the Marassi, with their most emphatic effort of the campaign. Esteban Cambiasso, Mario Balotelli, Stankovic, Maicon, and now Manchester City owned Patrick Vieira were on the scoresheet with the pick of the bunch being the Serbian’s strike. He volleyed a clearance from Marco Amelia back into the net from the half-way line!
Week 9: Inter 2-1 Catania
The scoreline was close, but misleading, it in reality was quite comfortable for the Nerazzurri against the Siclians at San Siro. Sulley Muntari’s cross fooled the goalkeeper to open the scoring, while Sneijder added a second from a freekick. Catania only responded with a late Giuseppe Mascara spot-kick.
Week 10: Inter 5-3 Palermo
In one of the most thrilling matches of the season, Inter just managed to hold off a rampant Rosanero. Balotelli and Eto’o braces launched the hosts to a 4-0 lead, but Fabrizio Miccoli and company stormed back to cut the deficit to one before substitute Milito’s tap-in rounded off the scoring.
Week 11: Livorno 0-2 Inter
Five wins in a row for Inter, who easily took care of relegation bound Livorno. Milito controlled on the edge of the area to open the scoring and Maicon surged forward, without much opposition, to add a second.
Week 12: Inter 1-1 Roma
At this point few would have imagined Claudio Ranieri’s Roma would become Scudetto rivals, but they proved their mettle with a gutsy performance at the San Siro. Mirko Vucinic’s incredible header looped over Julio Cesar and into the net. However, Eto’o was on target as well, turning in from close range.
Week 13: Bologna 1-3 Inter
There were few troubles for Mourinho’s men, despite an early setback when Marcelo Zalayeta immediately equalised after a Milito opener. Balotelli and Cambiasso made sure the points went to the eventual champions though.
Week 14: Inter 1-0 Fiorentina
In a very close contest at the San Siro, Inter edged Fiorentina courtesy of a Milito penalty. The Viola hit the post after a creative move from Alberto Gilardino, but former the Real Zaragoza star earned a converted an 85th minute spot-kick. At this point they were eight points clear at the top.
Week 15: Juventus 2-1 Inter
Despite all their troubles this past season, it was the Bianconeri who handed Inter their second loss. The ball bounced around in the area, seemingly fooling everyone, when Felipe Melo grabbed a chaotic goal. Eto’o’s header made it 1-1, but a contender for goal of the season by Claudio Marchisio was a worthy winner. The midfielder dribbled past Walter Samuel before chipping the goalkeeper.
Week 16: Atalanta 1-1 Inter
That loss was followed by more disappointment as the Bergamo-based outfit held Inter to a draw. The visitors looked to be in control courtesy of Milito, but Sneijder was sent off for a second bookable offence and Simone Tiribocchi bagged a late equaliser.
Week 17: Inter 1-0 Lazio
The Nerazzurri were winter champions by an eight-point margin. On a lightening quick counter attack, Santakovic crossed to Eto’o whose header was saved, but the Cameroon star tucked away his own rebound for the lone goal of the match.
Week 18: Chievo 0-1 Inter
The new year began in controversial circumstances. Balotelli’s 11th minute strike was ruled a goal by the linesman, but the Flying Donkeys players argued that it did not cross over the line. Meanwhile, the hosts were also denied a late penalty shout when it appeared Quaresma had handled the ball in the area.
Week 19: Inter 4-3 Siena
The first half of the season ended with a spectacular fightback against the Robur. With only two minutes remaining, Siena were in front 3-2. However, a brilliant free-kick by Wesley Sneijder and a stoppage time winner from Walter Samuel turned the result in favour of Massimo Moratti’s club and Jose Mourinho emphatically celebrated.
Week 20: Bari 2-2 Inter
Bari held Inter to another draw. Two spot-kicks from Barreto gave the Galletti a 2-0 advantage, but Pandev took advantage of a scramble in the area before Milito hit a penalty of his own for a second consecutive comeback.
Week 21: Inter 2-0 Milan
Inter completed the double on Milan with another dominant display, despite being down to ten men for a majority of the match. Once again it was Milito who found the back of the net with an angled drive. Sniejder was sent off for sarcastically clapping at the referee. After the interval, Goran Pandev curled in a freekick and Julio Cesar saved Ronaldinho’s penalty in stoppage time as Lucio was also given his marching orders.
Week 22: Parma 1-1 Inter
In a match rescheduled due to weather conditions, it was definitely not a showcase for football as the Gialloblu stalled Inter in a clash where chances were few and far between. Valeri Bojinov tapped in first, but substitute Balotelli quickly levelled the scores at the Tardini.
Week 23: Inter 3-0 Cagliari
The Nerazzurri continued their title pursuit with a convincing victory. Pandev, Samuel, and Milito ensured a 3-0 win against a lacklustre Cagliari side.
Week 24: Napoli 0-0 Inter
The scoreline was misleading in this match as the teams combined to hit the posts three times, but neither could find the back on the net at the Stadio San Paolo. Inter’s defence struggled to deal with Denis, Marek Hamsik, and Fabio Quagliarella, but luckily did not concede.
Week 25: Inter 0-0 Sampdoria
It was the second scoreless draw in a row for Inter, but arguably the best defensive display in Serie A in 2009-10 as the Beneamata held out for over 50 minutes with nine-men as Samuel and Ivan Cordoa both were dismissed in the first-half.
Week 26: Udinese 2-3 Inter
It was a goalfest at the Stadio Friuli. Right from the outset, Simone Pepe opened the Zebrette’s account. However, excellent goals from Balotelli, Maicon and Milito had the Champions League finalists 3-1 in front. Di Natale’s penalty set up a tense finish, but Alexis Sanchez’s deflected effort hit the crossbar in injury time.
Week 27: Inter 0-0 Genoa
The players were jeered by the crowd in this match as they disappointingly failed to breakdown the Grifoni despite hitting five against them in the first-half of the season. As the match wore on, the hosts became frustrated and resorted to shooting from distance often, but could not find a winner.
Week 28: Catania 3-1 Inter
Muntari literally handed the Etnei victory in Sicily. With the scores at 1-1 the substitute only lasted two mintues on the pitch, picking up two bookings, including a hand ball in the area. Mascara was clinical from the spot and Jorge Martinez mercilessly skipped through the defence before adding a third.
Week 29: Palermo 1-1 Inter
There was more Sicilian sorrow for Inter the following week. At this point Milan were just behind them in the standings, but failed to take advantage of this slip-up. Milito fired in a tenth minute penalty, but Edinson Cavani’s powerful strike proved to be the equaliser.
Week 30: Inter 3-0 Livorno
The Amaranto proved a far easier opponent after two difficult southern trips. Samuel Eto’o scored a brilliant brace, finishing in the top corner before an overhead kick. Thiago Motta then did well to set up the rampaging Maicon, who rounded off the scoring with a screamer.
Week 31: Roma 2-1 Inter
The Giallorossi cut Inter’s lead at the top to just one point with a win at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma started well and Daniele De Rossi was quick to tap in a Julio Cesar fumble. Milito equalised, but winter signing Luca Toni found himself in space in the box to score the winner. Inter hit the woodwork three times in this clash, including in second-half stoppage time through Milito’s volley.
Week 32: Inter 3-0 Bologna
The Nerazzurri had to bounce back after that loss and did so with aplomb versus Bologna. The star of the show was Thiago Motta, who scored a clinical brace. A positive note was the return of Balotelli, who also got on the scoresheet after being left out for six matches due to disciplinary reasons.
Week 33: Fiorentina 2-2 Inter
The lead at the top of the table was no more, as Roma surpassed Inter after they drew in Florence. Keirrison gave the Viola the lead, beore Milito and Eto’o scored near identical goals late in the second-half. However, Per Kroldrup’s 82nd minute tap-in at the far post meant the shares were spoiled as Inter dropped to second place.
Week 34: Inter 2-0 Juventus
Ten-man Juventus fought hard in the Derby d’Italia but eventually succumbed to the constant pressure from Inter. Maicon scored probably the best goal of his career when he juggled the ball over Amauri before lashing past Gianluigi Buffon from the edge of the area. Samuel Eto’o struck in the 92nd minute after a hard-working display.
Week 35: Inter 3-1 Atalanta
An early goal by Tiribocchi did not deter the title bound squad at home as Milito, MacDonald Mariga, and Cristian Chivu, with his first goal for the club, gave the hosts three points. They proved to be crucial, as the next day Roma lost to Sampdoria, meaning the Nerazurri were back on top of the Serie A standings with three weeks remaining.
Week 36: Lazio 0-2 Inter
In a match that gathered plenty of attention, Inter won 2-0 over Roma’s rivals Lazio. The crowd were ironically on the side of the visitors, as they’d rather Inter win the Scudetto than the Giallorossi and some accused the Biancocelesti players of giving much less than 100 percent. Samuel and Thiago Motta both found the back of the net with headers.
Week 37: Inter 4-3 Chievo
It was a thriller in Milan as Inter won against Chievo 4-3. A Thiago Motta own goal left some of the supporters stunned, but another own goal from Andrea Mantovani made it 1-1 before Cambiasso gave his side the lead with a tap-in. Milito chipped the goalkeeper, Balotelli converted a break-away, but Chievo scored two more to set up a tense finish.
Week 38: Siena 0-1 Inter
In a nervous finale to the season, Inter started the day with a two point Serie
A lead and when news trickled down that Roma were up 2-0 in their match, there were some worried faces. However, after an excellent run by Javier Zanetti, unsurprisingly top-scorer Milito calmed his team-mates with an instinctive finish – his 22nd league goal of the season – and it was enough to win theit fifth consecutive Scudetto!
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Inter started the defence of their title with a surprise 1-1 draw at home to newly-promoted Bari. The Nerazzurri took the lead through a Samuel Eto’o penalty but were pegged back by a Vitali Kutuzov goal.
Week 2: Milan 0-4 Inter
They responded emphatically to their opening day disappointment by thrashing local rivals Milan 4-0 in a very one-sided derby. Diego Milito converted a spot-kick and also set up Thiago Motta and Maicon before Dejan Stankovic added a fourth. It also marked Wesley Sneijder’s debut.
Week 3: Inter 2-0 Parma
The Nerazzurri left it late to defeat a spirited Parma side in Round 3. It took 70 minutes and a moment of magic from Eto’o to break the deadlock, who curled in from outside the area. Milito made the points safe by finishing off a counter-attack.
Week 4: Cagliari 1-2 Inter
A disappointing performace at the Stadio Sant’ Elia was salvaged by Milito. The Isolani took the lead with a first-half Jeda penalty, but the Argentine hit a quick-fire brace early in the second-half and he and his team-mates held on for the win. Jose Mourinho also was dismissed for protesting.
Week 5: Inter 3-1 Napoli
No one could accuse the Beneamata of starting slowly in this match. After five minutes, Eto’o and Milito had given the hosts a 2-0 advantage, Lucio added another after half an hour and it was easy street from there on even if Ezequiel Lavezzi pulled one back.
Week 6: Sampdoria 1-0 Inter
Inter tasted their first defeat at the Marassi. Young full-back Davide Santon’s error was punished as striker Giampaolo Pazzini scored a late winner. At the time, the Blucerchiati leaped-frogged to the top of the standings.
Week 7: Inter 2-1 Udinese
Looking to rebound, the giants needed an injury-time winner from Sneijder to get back on track. Stankovic’s stunning opener had been cancelled out by capocannoniere Antonio Di Natale before the Dutch international’s late heroics.
Week 8: Genoa 0-5 Inter
Mourinho’s men made sure they would not suffer two defeats at the Marassi, with their most emphatic effort of the campaign. Esteban Cambiasso, Mario Balotelli, Stankovic, Maicon, and now Manchester City owned Patrick Vieira were on the scoresheet with the pick of the bunch being the Serbian’s strike. He volleyed a clearance from Marco Amelia back into the net from the half-way line!
Week 9: Inter 2-1 Catania
The scoreline was close, but misleading, it in reality was quite comfortable for the Nerazzurri against the Siclians at San Siro. Sulley Muntari’s cross fooled the goalkeeper to open the scoring, while Sneijder added a second from a freekick. Catania only responded with a late Giuseppe Mascara spot-kick.
Week 10: Inter 5-3 Palermo
In one of the most thrilling matches of the season, Inter just managed to hold off a rampant Rosanero. Balotelli and Eto’o braces launched the hosts to a 4-0 lead, but Fabrizio Miccoli and company stormed back to cut the deficit to one before substitute Milito’s tap-in rounded off the scoring.
Week 11: Livorno 0-2 Inter
Five wins in a row for Inter, who easily took care of relegation bound Livorno. Milito controlled on the edge of the area to open the scoring and Maicon surged forward, without much opposition, to add a second.
Week 12: Inter 1-1 Roma
At this point few would have imagined Claudio Ranieri’s Roma would become Scudetto rivals, but they proved their mettle with a gutsy performance at the San Siro. Mirko Vucinic’s incredible header looped over Julio Cesar and into the net. However, Eto’o was on target as well, turning in from close range.
Week 13: Bologna 1-3 Inter
There were few troubles for Mourinho’s men, despite an early setback when Marcelo Zalayeta immediately equalised after a Milito opener. Balotelli and Cambiasso made sure the points went to the eventual champions though.
Week 14: Inter 1-0 Fiorentina
In a very close contest at the San Siro, Inter edged Fiorentina courtesy of a Milito penalty. The Viola hit the post after a creative move from Alberto Gilardino, but former the Real Zaragoza star earned a converted an 85th minute spot-kick. At this point they were eight points clear at the top.
Week 15: Juventus 2-1 Inter
Despite all their troubles this past season, it was the Bianconeri who handed Inter their second loss. The ball bounced around in the area, seemingly fooling everyone, when Felipe Melo grabbed a chaotic goal. Eto’o’s header made it 1-1, but a contender for goal of the season by Claudio Marchisio was a worthy winner. The midfielder dribbled past Walter Samuel before chipping the goalkeeper.
Week 16: Atalanta 1-1 Inter
That loss was followed by more disappointment as the Bergamo-based outfit held Inter to a draw. The visitors looked to be in control courtesy of Milito, but Sneijder was sent off for a second bookable offence and Simone Tiribocchi bagged a late equaliser.
Week 17: Inter 1-0 Lazio
The Nerazzurri were winter champions by an eight-point margin. On a lightening quick counter attack, Santakovic crossed to Eto’o whose header was saved, but the Cameroon star tucked away his own rebound for the lone goal of the match.
Week 18: Chievo 0-1 Inter
The new year began in controversial circumstances. Balotelli’s 11th minute strike was ruled a goal by the linesman, but the Flying Donkeys players argued that it did not cross over the line. Meanwhile, the hosts were also denied a late penalty shout when it appeared Quaresma had handled the ball in the area.
Week 19: Inter 4-3 Siena
The first half of the season ended with a spectacular fightback against the Robur. With only two minutes remaining, Siena were in front 3-2. However, a brilliant free-kick by Wesley Sneijder and a stoppage time winner from Walter Samuel turned the result in favour of Massimo Moratti’s club and Jose Mourinho emphatically celebrated.
Week 20: Bari 2-2 Inter
Bari held Inter to another draw. Two spot-kicks from Barreto gave the Galletti a 2-0 advantage, but Pandev took advantage of a scramble in the area before Milito hit a penalty of his own for a second consecutive comeback.
Week 21: Inter 2-0 Milan
Inter completed the double on Milan with another dominant display, despite being down to ten men for a majority of the match. Once again it was Milito who found the back of the net with an angled drive. Sniejder was sent off for sarcastically clapping at the referee. After the interval, Goran Pandev curled in a freekick and Julio Cesar saved Ronaldinho’s penalty in stoppage time as Lucio was also given his marching orders.
Week 22: Parma 1-1 Inter
In a match rescheduled due to weather conditions, it was definitely not a showcase for football as the Gialloblu stalled Inter in a clash where chances were few and far between. Valeri Bojinov tapped in first, but substitute Balotelli quickly levelled the scores at the Tardini.
Week 23: Inter 3-0 Cagliari
The Nerazzurri continued their title pursuit with a convincing victory. Pandev, Samuel, and Milito ensured a 3-0 win against a lacklustre Cagliari side.
Week 24: Napoli 0-0 Inter
The scoreline was misleading in this match as the teams combined to hit the posts three times, but neither could find the back on the net at the Stadio San Paolo. Inter’s defence struggled to deal with Denis, Marek Hamsik, and Fabio Quagliarella, but luckily did not concede.
Week 25: Inter 0-0 Sampdoria
It was the second scoreless draw in a row for Inter, but arguably the best defensive display in Serie A in 2009-10 as the Beneamata held out for over 50 minutes with nine-men as Samuel and Ivan Cordoa both were dismissed in the first-half.
Week 26: Udinese 2-3 Inter
It was a goalfest at the Stadio Friuli. Right from the outset, Simone Pepe opened the Zebrette’s account. However, excellent goals from Balotelli, Maicon and Milito had the Champions League finalists 3-1 in front. Di Natale’s penalty set up a tense finish, but Alexis Sanchez’s deflected effort hit the crossbar in injury time.
Week 27: Inter 0-0 Genoa
The players were jeered by the crowd in this match as they disappointingly failed to breakdown the Grifoni despite hitting five against them in the first-half of the season. As the match wore on, the hosts became frustrated and resorted to shooting from distance often, but could not find a winner.
Week 28: Catania 3-1 Inter
Muntari literally handed the Etnei victory in Sicily. With the scores at 1-1 the substitute only lasted two mintues on the pitch, picking up two bookings, including a hand ball in the area. Mascara was clinical from the spot and Jorge Martinez mercilessly skipped through the defence before adding a third.
Week 29: Palermo 1-1 Inter
There was more Sicilian sorrow for Inter the following week. At this point Milan were just behind them in the standings, but failed to take advantage of this slip-up. Milito fired in a tenth minute penalty, but Edinson Cavani’s powerful strike proved to be the equaliser.
Week 30: Inter 3-0 Livorno
The Amaranto proved a far easier opponent after two difficult southern trips. Samuel Eto’o scored a brilliant brace, finishing in the top corner before an overhead kick. Thiago Motta then did well to set up the rampaging Maicon, who rounded off the scoring with a screamer.
Week 31: Roma 2-1 Inter
The Giallorossi cut Inter’s lead at the top to just one point with a win at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma started well and Daniele De Rossi was quick to tap in a Julio Cesar fumble. Milito equalised, but winter signing Luca Toni found himself in space in the box to score the winner. Inter hit the woodwork three times in this clash, including in second-half stoppage time through Milito’s volley.
Week 32: Inter 3-0 Bologna
The Nerazzurri had to bounce back after that loss and did so with aplomb versus Bologna. The star of the show was Thiago Motta, who scored a clinical brace. A positive note was the return of Balotelli, who also got on the scoresheet after being left out for six matches due to disciplinary reasons.
Week 33: Fiorentina 2-2 Inter
The lead at the top of the table was no more, as Roma surpassed Inter after they drew in Florence. Keirrison gave the Viola the lead, beore Milito and Eto’o scored near identical goals late in the second-half. However, Per Kroldrup’s 82nd minute tap-in at the far post meant the shares were spoiled as Inter dropped to second place.
Week 34: Inter 2-0 Juventus
Ten-man Juventus fought hard in the Derby d’Italia but eventually succumbed to the constant pressure from Inter. Maicon scored probably the best goal of his career when he juggled the ball over Amauri before lashing past Gianluigi Buffon from the edge of the area. Samuel Eto’o struck in the 92nd minute after a hard-working display.
Week 35: Inter 3-1 Atalanta
An early goal by Tiribocchi did not deter the title bound squad at home as Milito, MacDonald Mariga, and Cristian Chivu, with his first goal for the club, gave the hosts three points. They proved to be crucial, as the next day Roma lost to Sampdoria, meaning the Nerazurri were back on top of the Serie A standings with three weeks remaining.
Week 36: Lazio 0-2 Inter
In a match that gathered plenty of attention, Inter won 2-0 over Roma’s rivals Lazio. The crowd were ironically on the side of the visitors, as they’d rather Inter win the Scudetto than the Giallorossi and some accused the Biancocelesti players of giving much less than 100 percent. Samuel and Thiago Motta both found the back of the net with headers.
Week 37: Inter 4-3 Chievo
It was a thriller in Milan as Inter won against Chievo 4-3. A Thiago Motta own goal left some of the supporters stunned, but another own goal from Andrea Mantovani made it 1-1 before Cambiasso gave his side the lead with a tap-in. Milito chipped the goalkeeper, Balotelli converted a break-away, but Chievo scored two more to set up a tense finish.
Week 38: Siena 0-1 Inter
In a nervous finale to the season, Inter started the day with a two point Serie
A lead and when news trickled down that Roma were up 2-0 in their match, there were some worried faces. However, after an excellent run by Javier Zanetti, unsurprisingly top-scorer Milito calmed his team-mates with an instinctive finish – his 22nd league goal of the season – and it was enough to win theit fifth consecutive Scudetto!
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