Inter implements the match plan to perfection, with some margins for the referee, and manages to send Barcelona off.
The leader of the Italian league tops and crushes Ajax with an attacking display like no other.
Is representing Serie A in the Champions League a thing to reckon with once again?
He’s been less than immortal since the European glory days of Milan and Jose Mourinho’s Intertriple. Since the time when the greats of Serie A (with the exception of a few editions of Juventus) are reckoned with in the minute quarters of the European Football Cup.
No, of course we should sit quietly in the boat. After all, it still falls.
But when was the last time (with the exception of this Juventus version) it looked so promising for the Champions League representatives?
For example, for Inter which was something that could still be categorized as a little “surprise” beforehand.
The ‘Group of Death’ was going exactly as expected up to this point.
Historic victory in the group stage
Neither Barcelona nor Inter Milan were able to break Bayern Munich in their first match against the group’s favorite team, which by all indications is heading towards a very strong rise. The Ironing Bag from Viktoria Plzen was as big an ironing bag as everyone had come to expect.
Thus it was easy to formulate the equation of successive clashes between the big clubs in southern Europe.
Inter or Barcelona. UEFA Champions League Round of 16 or Europa League.
And with the start of the league in mind, the last club held the top candidate up front. Not only because of the level of the Premier League for Inter but also with history in mind. After all, Inter, in eight attempts, had failed to defeat Barcelona in the group stage before.
Now they did it.
Of course they should have been punished…
Barcelona certainly had the most ball and certainly Inter’s three-man midfield (with Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Parilla and Henrikh Mkhitaryjan) had a hard time controlling a more skilled and balanced Barcelona.
Of course, Barcelona would still get a penalty in overtime (even if Pedri’s “receipt” shortly before felt properly left out).
But the black and blue defense stood firm. Robert Lewandowski, one of the world’s top scorers, has remained unknown. One of the world’s most technically skilled players, Ousmane Dembele, was as ineffective as he was masterful. The margins were on the Inter side.
But above all, it was a perfectly executed tactical effort, encouraged by Calhanoglu’s finishing touch, which was the key to victory.
It may prove to be a key to progress, too.
When the two teams meet again in the second round at Camp Nou next week, suddenly the La Liga leader is the one under pressure. Not only with question marks related to the game but also serious defensive injury concerns.
Inter is the one who has the wind in his sails in pursuit of promotion.
Naples? On the other hand, hurricane winds advance them.
More attractive than crushing Liverpool
When Ajax took an early lead in Amsterdam, the initial reaction was that Napoli would find it difficult to secure their third consecutive win in the group stage.
It wasn’t difficult for a light blue attack that is here and now one of Europe’s hottest.
The 6-1 win away to Ajax is an expression of strength that, I dare say, is more flowery and striking than their surprise overtake by Liverpool earlier this fall. It was undoubtedly remarkable.
Napoli who not only tops Serie A, but can also prove to be convincing and dominant on the European stage.
Napoli, who in this edition can throw players like Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone when Victor Osimhen is injured regularly. Nice contrast with Andrea Petagna’s refrigerator.
Again, it’s still fall and we shouldn’t assume much success in the upcoming knockout stage.
But with the winds blowing here and now, everyone should anyway avoid Napoli in the possible Round of 16. Also Inter.
It’s spring for Calcio again.