15 May 1966 and the tale of Inter’s golden star

MILAN - "Our tenth Scudetto is like a stamp that completes an already extensive collection with a golden star," was how Angelo Moratti, a man who made success with Inter his life’s work, described the importance of 15 May 1966 to the history of F.C. Internazionale.

The 4-1 win over Lazio that day, secured to a backdrop of cheers from a packed San Siro, was the umpteenth triumph in one of the most successful periods in the club’s existence. Yet this one was particularly sweet, because it earned Inter their tenth Scudetto and with it the right to adorn their jerseys with a golden star. It was something that would never be taken away from the Inter shirts, regardless of future Scudetti won or lost, to paraphrase Moratti, the president at the time. Such was the gravity of the achievement that, fifty years down the line, only three teams in Italy have a golden star on their breast.

The Nerazzurri’s journey towards that historic Scudetto began on 4 September 1965 with a 5-2 home win over Varese, in which Giacinto Facchetti bagged a brace. It was a declaration of intent that would remain steadfast all season – nobody, not even the Ferencvaros of Florian Albert or the Real Madrid of Ferenc Puskas, could defeat the Inter of Helenio Herrera at San Siro.

The league was hotly contested that year, but each obstacle was duly overcome with steely determination by a group not satisfied with a title win the season beforehand, not to mention two consecutive European Cup triumphs and the same again in Intercontinental Cup wins. The line-up had changed little, but the desire to see that golden star stitched onto black and blue was strong enough to imbue the team with renewed fire.

The game against Lazio, on the penultimate day of the season, came at a delicate time. Inter had proved their superiority over the course of the season, but two draws and a loss to Bologna between April and May had seen Bologna recover to within reach of the title. Returning to San Siro for two tricky matches, the Nerazzurri confidently swept Juventus aside with a 3-1 win in the first (Facchetti with another brace) to tee up a crunch game against Lazio. With the title seemingly within their grasp, Inter needed the cool heads and experience of their best players, who were smarting after a semi-final defeat to Real Madrid had denied them the chance to complete a hat-trick of European Cup wins.

The Nerazzurri couldn’t let the Scudetto get away. Not after the season they’d had, not in front of a crowd already half celebrating. Inter attempted to start on the front foot, but the Milan heat and a solid Lazio side scuppered their plan to get the match won early on. The Nerazzurri were in need of a touch of genius – and it was Luis Suarez who stepped up. His free-kick, at the end of a cagey first half, left the Lazio keeper rooted to the spot.

Lazio rallied to equalise, but Inter were not to be denied. Sandro Mazzola made it 2-1, then Suarez – after a stunning solo run – forced an own-goal out of Governato. When Domenghini added a fourth, the Nerazzurri faithful knew it was done. Soon afterwards, thousands of fans stormed onto the pitch in jubilant celebration.

The symbol of that tenth Scudetto was already visible on the flags around the stadium. Perhaps gold was the only thing missing from Inter’s club crest – the colour of the stars on that magical night in 1908 that inspired the choice of black and blue. Fifty-eight years later, one of those stars had found its way onto the shirt itself. And nobody would ever take it away.

Alessandro Bai