A brilliant Inter performance, Sampdoria beaten 5 - 1

MILAN – Do you remember Sampdoria vs. Inter? It took place on 6 January, four months go. It was cold and wet, the pitch was heavy and nothing went Inter’s way. The Nerazzurri fell to defeat after a an eight-game winning run, and they’d go on to draw their next match against Roma. Nevertheless, there were positive signs Conte's men, who still had to do some chasing in the league. The Nerazzurri had fought ferociously, and they were aware that something big could be on the horizon. Four months on, it remains Inter’s last loss to date. Since then they’ve won 15 and drawn four in Serie A, and, of course, become the Champions of Italy.

And today, Antonio Conte’s men celebrated their Scudetto triumph in style. It was a real party, starting from the fantastic pre-match scenes involving the fans, who accompanied the team coach on its way to San Siro. Then, having arrived at the stadium, the players took to the pitch and put on a magnificent show of power. It could have been a match played at a low tempo, but the Nerazzurri had other ideas. They attacked from the very first minute, showing excellent movement and putting together some brilliant moves. As for Sampdoria, who are ninth in the league and have nothing left to play for, they never really got going, although they did threaten to get back into it when they reduced the arrears in the first half.

Ultimately, their efforts were in vain: Inter’s ferocity and desire to put on a show prevailed. There are so many positive aspects to note: Sanchez’s double, Radu’s return to the pitch in a Nerazzurri shirt (his second appearance, his first came in May 2016), 90 minutes for Vecino, Andrea Pinamonti’s first Inter goal. And then there was the result: a dominant 5-1 victory, Inter’s 14th consecutive home victory. It represents a record for the Club.

Conte made seven changes from the win at Crotone: Ranocchia came in at centre-back, Eriksen started in midfield alongside Vecino and Gagliardini, and Sanchez replaced Lukaku. It was clear from the outset that Inter intended to enjoy themselves, aiming to put all their best qualities on show for the fans. The desire to run, to roam around the pitch and to impress the supporters was on display straight away, with Gagliardini’s goal evidencing why this Inter side are Champions of Italy. A great team move, starting on the right and involving a whole host of players, saw Lautaro find space and Young pick out Gagliardini, who made no mistake in front of goal. 

Inter were playing some beautiful stuff and Alexis, as vibrant as ever, was at the centre of it all: back-heels, no-look passes and… two fantastic goals, especially his second, to make it 3-1. That was the key moment: Sampdoria had given themselves a lifeline with Keita’s goal (after Handanovic’s save just about kept out Candreva) but were pegged back right away by a combination of the elusive Hakimi (who was popping up everywhere) and the lively Sanchez.

3-1 at half-time clearly was not enough for the Nerazzurri: Conte made changes, looking for fresh energy and motivation off the bench. Radu came on in goal, for the first time since his May 2016 debut against Sassuolo. Pinamonti also entered the fray, scoring his first goal in Inter colours with an outstanding touch and finish on his right foot. To put the cherry on top of this already sweet cake, Lautaro netted with a perfect penalty. A 5-1 victory over a Sampdoria side that never really picked themselves up after going 3-1 down. In truth, the result is academic, with fans more interested in the players’ celebrations in the centre-circle at full time: “Siamo noi, siamo noi!” (“We are the Champions!“), they sang. Champions of Italy is indeed what we are. Today as loudly as ever, the echo of those shouts could be heard at San Siro.

MATCH SUMMARY

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic (97 Radu 46'); 33 D'Ambrosio, 13 Ranocchia, 95 Bastoni; 2 Hakimi, 8 Vecino, 24 Eriksen (77 Brozovic 56'), 5 Gagliardini (23 Barella 61'), 15 Young; 7 Sanchez (99 Pinamonti 56'), 10 Lautaro (12 Sensi 73').Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 6 de Vrij, 9 Lukaku, 14 Perisic, 36 Darmian, 37 Skriniar. Coach: Antonio Conte.

SAMPDORIA (4-4-1-1): 1 Audero; 24 Bereszynski, 21 Tonelli (22 Yoshida 46'), 15 Colley, 3 Augello; 87 Candreva, 18 Thorsby (6 Ekdal 46'), 5 Adrien Silva, 14 Jankto (38 Damsgaard 46'); 11 Ramirez (8 Verre 46'); 14 Keita (27 Quagliarella 73'). Substitutes: 34 Letica, 9 Torregrossa, 16 Askildsen, 19 Regini, 23 Gabbiadini, 25 Ferrari, 26 Leris.Coach: Claudio Ranieri.

Goalscorers: 4' Gagliardini (I), 26' Sanchez (I), 35' Keita (S), 36' Sanchez (I), 62' Pinamonti (I), 70' Lautaro (I) pen.Bookings: Silva (S)Added time: -, 

Referee: Ayroldi.Assistants: Ranghetti, Pagliardini.Fourth Official: Paterna.VAR: Orsato.VAR Assistant: Valeriani.