I M Scudetto | Nerazzurri Champions of Italy: The team of the 2020/21 season

The Scudetto returns to the Nerazzurri after 11 years with four matchdays to go, at the end of a difficult and wonderful season. Fatigue, determination, hunger, dedication, victories, celebrations have all accompanied an achievement that will remain etched in history.

Here is the team that won the nineteenth Scudetto in Nerazzurri history:

1 - Samir Handanovic:

The captain, at Inter since the summer of 2012, has worn our shirt on 386 occasions, becoming the goalkeeper with the second most appearances in Nerazzurri history. In the league, he has collected 14 clean sheets in 34 games and this season he passed the milestone of 500 games in Serie A, becoming the most-capped foreign goalkeeper in the history of the Italian league. His contribution between the posts in key fixtures was essential, as in the #DerbyMilano success where he made three incredible saves in just under a minute.

2 - Achraf Hakimi:

He has won the Scudetto in his first season with the Nerazzurri. Unstoppable with his acceleration on the right wing, fast on the pitch and in reaching important milestones: the Moroccan winger has racked up seven goals and six assists in the league, establishing himself as one of the best signings in Serie A. Also fast to make himself known, he marked his league debut with two assists and a goal in the first two official games against Benevento and Fiorentina. His first brace came against Bologna, and his last two assists were both for Darmian in two crucial wins in the final push against Cagliari and Hellas Verona. His dangerous offensive forays were crucial in Inter's run-in, as shown with his last goal against Crotone.

5 - Roberto Gagliardini:

At Inter since January 2017, in his fifth season in the Nerazzurri he has made 31 appearances, 26 in the league, scoring two goals: the first in the win against Benevento when he also bagged an assist; the second in one of the fundamental points of Inter's Scudetto race, in the first round against Sassuolo. A goal that capped off one of the best seasonal performances from the midfielder born in 1994 who, when he has scored has turned into an amulet for the team: Inter, in fact, have won all eleven Serie A games in which Roberto Gagliardini has scored.

6 - Stefan de Vrij:

At Inter since the summer of 2018, he received the individual award as the best defender in Serie A in 2019/20 and was included in last season’s team of the year. His growth has been constant, and this season he has sealed his place as a focal point in the Nerazzurri defence: A silent and precious leader, as confirmed by his 123 appearances in the Nerazzurri shirt. The statistics reward him mostly for his interceptions and in his approach play (1 goal and 31 appearances in Serie A 2020/21).

7 - Alexis Sanchez:

At Inter since August 2019, he brought his technique, his experience, his unpredictability, and all his grit to the Nerazzurri cause. "Soul and body”: This is how he threw himself into the team’s extraordinary race towards the 19th Nerazzurri Scudetto, carving out space with determination and humility. He has made 37 appearances this season, and 27 in the league, where he has provided six valuable assists and has scored five goals, three in a row between the goal against Genoa and his brace against Parma, fundamental victories in the two games played after overtaking AC MILAN in the standings.

8 - Matias Vecino:

Born in 1991, he joined Inter in the summer of 2017 and in his four seasons with the Nerazzurri he has scored decisive goals for the team and for all the fans. The Uruguayan returned to the field in 2021 after last summer's knee surgery, reaching a prestigious milestone with the Nerazzurri: the victory against Cagliari was in fact his 100th appearance for Inter in all competitions.

9 - Romelu Lukaku:

Gigantic, unplayable, powerful. In his second season with the Nerazzurri he helped chase down and win the Scudetto, thanks in large part to his goals and assists. 27 goals this season, 21 in the league accompanied by ten assists, in a season in which the Belgian striker broke records and reached the milestone of 300 goals as a professional: 61 came in his 92 appearances for the Nerazzurri (44 in Serie A, 4 in Coppa Italia, 6 in the Champions League, 7 in the Europa League). Rewarded as the Serie A player of the month in February, Lukaku carried the team through one of the key points of the Nerazzurri league season when within the space of two weeks, he scored a brace in the 3-1 win over Lazio, followed by a goal and assist against AC Milan (3-0) with an unforgettable celebration, and a further goal and assist against Genoa.

10 - Lautaro Martinez:

Alongside Lukaku he has formed the most prolific duo in Serie A (36 goals between them in the league). "Il Toro" Lautaro Martinez, at Inter since July 2018, has provided five assists and scored 15 goals in this season’s Serie A, surpassing his record from last season (he finished last season with 14 goals in 35 appearances). Ever present, the Argentine striker is the only Nerazzurri player to have played all the league games (34) and seasonal games (44 total appearances). His season began with three goals and an assist in the first three games, twice being the protagonist with multiple goals: scoring a hat-trick against Crotone at the Meazza and a brace in the #DerbyMilano.

11 - Aleksandar Kolarov:

A first season in the Nerazzurri for the Serbian defender who arrived at Inter on 8 September 2020. Experience and quality are fundamental characteristics in his footballing repertoire. Making eleven appearances this season, and seven in the league, where he provided one of the most beautiful assists of the season: A perfectly trajected free-kick for Perisic's goal in the match against Parma.

12 - Stefano Sensi:

At Inter since the summer of 2019, after a season baptised with goals in his league debut against Lecce and in which he showcased all his qualities, the midfielder born in 1995 made 17 appearances this year, 14 of which came in in the league where he took to the pitch as a starter in the wins against Benevento, Cagliari, and Crotone.

13 - Andrea Ranocchia:

At Inter since the 2010/11 season, he is the only player in the squad to lift his second trophy with the Nerazzurri after the Coppa Italia won in May 2011 in the final against Palermo. His passion for football and for Inter, his work, his commitment, and his dedication has spanned these ten years, making him a precious resource and an example for his teammates and the fans.

14 - Ivan Perisic:

Ivan Perisic has grown better and better throughout the season where, game after game, he has carved out a fundamental role in the Nerazzurri’s league conquest. After the season on loan at Bayern Munich, the Croatian made himself available to the team and as a full-fledged attacking winger he showed all his qualities, precious in ball recoveries, as on the offensive front: 29 appearances in the league where he shone in key matches such as the second round matches against Lazio and AC Milan (in which he provided two of his four assists in Serie A in 2020/21). Three goals scored in the league, the most recent against Spezia, when he reached the milestone of 200 Inter appearances in all competitions.

15 - Ashley Young:

Joining the Nerazzurri in January 2020, he immediately showed his qualities, scoring four goals and getting four assists in the second round of last season. Generosity and vision of the game are the traits that have also characterised his play this season, in which the English winger has been deployed on 31 occasions, with 23 league appearances and three assists.

22 - Arturo Vidal:

Vidal’s first season in a Nerazzurri shirt. After arriving at Inter in September 2020, he has gone on to play 23 league matches and 30 games in all competitions, providing one assist and scoring twice in the process. Both of these goals came in January: after bagging against Fiorentina at the round of 16 stage of the Coppa Italia, he found the net in one of the biggest encounters of the season. Indeed, his header against Juventus was one of the key moments of the campaign.

23 - Nicolò Barella:

He is the outfield player that has played the most minutes this season. In his second Inter campaign, he’s proved to be a key pillar of the Nerazzurri midfield thanks to his technical ability, vision, quality and intensity. A dynamic and aggressive player, he plays with his head and his feet and has scored some great and important goals. His volley against Cagliari kick-started a fantastic comeback, while he also sealed the Nerazzurri’s victory over Juventus. Then, there was his brilliant right-footed strike in Florence. Three goals and six assists for the 24-year-old in the league this season.

24 - Christian Eriksen:

The fourth Dane in Inter’s history, he’s been at the Club since January 2020. The key moment for him this season came in the #DerbyMilano in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals when his perfect free kick sent Inter into the semis. He found his place in Inter’s tactical setup during the second half of the season, with his contribution helping Antonio Conte’s men move ahead of their rivals in the table. At the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, he scored his second Serie A goal with a fantastic left-footed strike from outside the area. He then found the net for the seventh time in the Inter shirt when he opened the scoring against Crotone.

27 - Daniele Padelli:

He has been at Inter since 3 July 2017. After making his debut on 12 December in the same year, he has gone on to make eight appearances in total. Six of these came last season when he stepped in for Handanovic and also guarded the Inter goal during the team’s #DerbyMilano victory. He is now celebrating the 19th Scudetto of the Club he has always supported: Inter!

33 - Danilo D’Ambrosio:

He is one of the players that has worn the Nerazzurri shirt the longest: he has been at the Club since January 2014. He has often played a crucial role, especially during the most critical times. His running, continuous sacrifice, blocks, assists and goals have been precious and often come at critical moments. He has scored three goals in the league this season, with his last coming against Cagliari in December. He bagged it in the closing stages, just like he did against Fiorentina to hand Inter victory. He has found the net 20 times in 230 Inter appearances.

36 - Matteo Darmian:

In his first season at the Nerazzurri, he has made a vital contribution to Inter’s Scudetto triumph. Indeed, his goals against Cagliari and Hellas Verona sealed two crucial wins. Consistent, diligent and tenacious: he has scored four goals this season, three of which have come in the league – a personal best for him.

37 - Milan Skriniar:

In his fourth season in Nerazzurri colours, the Slovakian defender has started 29 of the 30 league matches he has played this season after missing out on the start of the campaign due to Covid.  A key pillar of the Nerazzurri defence – the best in the league after conceding just 29 goals in 34 matches – he has been crucial thanks to his strength, his ability to read play and his superiority in one-on-one situations. A key match for him was the home game against Atalanta, a game which he decided (he has scored a total of three goals this season) and where Inter kept a clean sheet against the division’s best attack.

77 - Marcelo Brozovic:

The Croatian has made the second-most Nerazzurri appearances in the current squad (239) and has constantly been full of running and ideas. On average, he has covered 12 km per match, more than any other play. A key pillar of the Inter midfield, Brozovic has also provided six assists in the league and found the net against Parma.

95 - Alessandro Bastoni:

In his second season with the Nerazzurri, the 22-year-old has been one of the players to feature the most and has shone in the Inter defence thanks to his physicality, technique, vision and precision. One of his most memorable moments of the season came against Juventus: he played an incredible ball forward (it travelled more than 60 metres!) for Barella, who made it 2-0. It’s a season that has seen him set up a teammate to score on three occasions and make his Italy debut.

99 - Andrea Pinamonti:

After coming through the Nerazzurri youth ranks, Andrea Pinamonti returned to the Club ahead of the current campaign. His first Inter appearance came in December 2016, with the Italian going on to play five matches in his first spell. The first game of his second spell came against Genoa on 24 October 2020. It was the first of seven appearances this season (five in the league, one in the Champions League and one in the Coppa Italia).

35 - Filip Stankovic:

Inter was his destiny. In his first season in the first team, he has become an Italian Champion with the Club he has always been at and where he has grown and developed.

97 - Andrei Radu:

His Nerazzurri career began in Inter’s youth ranks when he was 16 years old. A goalkeeper with strong character, he made his debut for the Club on 14 May 2016 against Sassuolo. After loan spells at Avellino, Genoa and Parma, he returned to the Nerazzurri in August 2020.