Victory Against A.C Milan Will Give Inter The Serie A Title

In what could be an historical night, Internazionale take on A.C Milan at the San Siro on Monday. These Italian giants have won 19 Italian League titles each, but if Inter win this game they will confirm their 20th Serie A triumph with five league games to spare.

Football rarely suffers for narratives, but Monday night will be on another level. The Derby della Madonnina will take place under the lights as Internazionale seek to overtake their rivals league tally in front of their very eyes.

"This wonderful night will give us the colours of our crest: black and blue against a backdrop of stars. It shall be called Internazionale, because we are brothers of the world."

This epic rivalry began in dramatic fashion when some players from the old Milan Cricket and Football Club (A.C Milan) left to create a new team. Why? They wanted to accept foreign players. Hence the name; Internazionale. One club became two just like that.

Inter debuted in the top flight of Italian football in 1909, won it in 1910 and are the only team that has remained in the top flight without being relegated ever since. Now, they are top of the tree once more and on the cusp of a 20th title, their first since the 2020/21 season.

Inter have a goal difference of +60 and have lost just one league game all season. They are 14 points clear of Milan, whose own impressive recent form has seen them leap into second place ahead of Juventus. Nonetheless, the gap between the top two is a huge one and the blue and black ribbons may as well be on the trophy already.

Whatever happens on Monday night the Nerazzurri will lift the league title at the end of this season, but to confirm it in the presence of their neighbours would be nothing short of extraordinary. If they can get the vital win then rest assured that the date of April 22nd, 2024 will live long in the memory. Both in the history books, and likely inked onto the skin of a few-hundred locals.

Inter talisman Lautaro Martínez is leading the scoring charts in Serie A this season with 23 goals and the club captain has become a fans favourite. The Argentinian striker has joined countrymen like Javier Zanetti and Helenio Herrera in Inter folklore with his contribution over the last few years.

Zanetti is the Inter record appearance holder and helped them to a European Cup in 2010, whilst Herrera was their legendary manager born in Buenos Aires. Herrera led the side to historic success in the 1960’s by winning three leagues, two European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups.

This season Lautaro has linked up with the likes of Frenchman Marcus Thuram and Chilean Alexis Sánchez to great effect. Behind them, star players have included Italian Federico Dimarco; a boyhood inter fan. As well as Hakan Çalhanoğlu of Turkey. Internazionale have been dominant in the league and will regret a missed chance at European success after their shock UCL exit against Atlético Madrid.

Inter may trail A.C Milans famous Champions League tally but the tide has been turning in this rivalry and Simone Inzaghi’s team are racking up some impressive numbers. The Nerazzurri are about to overtake the Milan league tally and they have beaten them in more games over their existence too; not least last years Champions League semi-final. Inter have also won the last two Italian cups to take their total to nine wins against Milans five; the Rossoneri haven’t won a Coppa Italia since 2003.

Milan face a harsh reality on Monday. They are going to their own funeral. Second place might not have seemed a bad season for them initially, but for their neighbours explosive campaign and some seriously unfortunate timing; this will cut deep for Rossoneri fans. Inter are now the team to beat in both Milan and in Italy, and they are making great strides to ensure that this hierarchy is consolidated for the foreseeable future.

Black and blue against a backdrop of stars, the scene has been set for another battle, just as it was written over a century ago. The Nerazzurri’s founding fathers will be smiling down from above, because their proud army of internationals are on the cusp of victory over the old enemy, once again.