MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan transformed its treble disappointment from last season into domestic domination this year, beating Parma 2-0 on Sunday to clinch the Serie A title with three rounds still to play.
The Nerazzurri finished 12 points ahead of second-placed Napoli. The y can complete a league and cup double if the y beat Lazio in the Italian Cup final on May 13 — the last time Inter won both trophies was when José Mourinho delivered the historic treble in 2010.
The record does not need much decoration; it already does the talking.
Coaching overhaul
When Simone Inzaghi left Inter at the end of last season to take a lucrative role with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, the appointment of Cristian Chivu raised more than a few eyebrows. The former Romania defender had managed just 13 Serie A matches, securing survival with Parma in his first senior coaching job that February.
But Chivu knew Inter intimately, having spent the previous seven years overseeing various youth teams at the club where he ended his playing career in 2014. He was part of Inter's famous 2010 treble-winning side, adding to his credibility in the dressing room.
Fresh approach
Chivu transformed Inter into a more aggressive, high-pressing outfit and restored locker room harmony while integrating young academy talents such as Pio Esposito. New training methods improved overall fitness, and apart from Denzel Dumfries and Hakan Calhanoglu, key players largely avoided lengthy spells on the sidelines this season.
Captain Lautaro Martínez missed eight of the nine league matches before Inter clinched the title with a calf problem — returning against Parma. That was in stark contrast to Inter's rivals, especially Napoli, whose injury nightmare began before the season even started with star forward Romelu Lukaku ruled out for months. Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, David Neres, Billy Gilmour and Amir Rrahmani also missed large swathes of matches.
Turbulent middle
At one point, Inter's season looked like it was going to collapse again. Eliminated by Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League, Inter managed just two wins in eight matches — including defeat in the Milan derby — slashing its Serie A lead to six points.
The turnabout came with a statement 5-3 victory at Roma. From the re, Inter rebuilt its lead and advanced to the Italian Cup final, wrapping up the league title with comparative ease against Parma.