Inter Milan: Campioni 17

Inter Milan secured their 17th Scudetto in the championship just passed in some style. Once again they were the dominant team in Serie A and finished 10 points clear of both Juventus and AC Milan. It was of course their fourth title in a row, but next season will be much more difficult, as a transfer last night to bitter rivals Juventus confirmed. We will go into that later.

The League Campaign
Inter barley put a foot wrong. Grinding out wins, unbeatable at home and the magic of Zlatan, Maicon and Julio Cruz lead them to the title. Other teams were more spectacular and better to watch, Milan on their day for example, yet nobody could mirror Inter's consistency. Additionally, when they needed to deliver against the big Serie A sides they did just that. Home to Juventus, they won. Home to Milan, they won. Away to Roma in an early season test, they won. Home to a tough Fiorentina side, they won. A pattern has emerged here. Much credit must go to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. His 25 goals, some out of this world and some out of this universe, lead them to the title and him to the top of the top scorers chart.

Has Mourinho improved Inter?
Yes, in my view he has. They are a tougher side than the one that won last season. Muntari has been an excellent buy and towards the end of the season was linking up with big Ibra really well. They appear mentally tougher as well. Last season after loosing to Napoli in the league they almost blew the Championship in the seasons closing stages, but not this time. Again they lost in the cauldron of the San Paolo, but this time they regained their composure and wraped the league up.

Mario Balotelli and Davide Santon
Who says that youngsters don't get chances in big sides? Indeed, Inter have introduced Santon and continued with Balotelli this season to great effect. The latter will be, if he keeps his head, one of the best forwards in the world in the next few years, whilst Santon shows composer and class well beyond his 18 years. Two players that would have usually cost big spenders Inter millions, have cost nothing through a youth policy that is growing favourably for the Italian giants.

Faliure in Europe
It was an all told failure this season from start to finish. Failure to top their group and invite the danger of holders Manchester Utd saw them exit early again. Ibra needs more support on this stage, and a likely return to 4-3-3 with Balotelli and now Milito involved will give him just that. Factor into this new signing Thiago Motta and Inter may have found the midfielder than can help them push on further into this competition. However, to win it they may need more. A real creative genius like Franck Ribery, maybe they can find one in their new prosperous youth system.

Can anyone stop an 18th Scudetto?
Yes, now Juventus can. Inter fans wont like to hear this, but the signing of Felipe Melo now completes Juve's midfield, which with Diego, Sissoko, Marchisio and Camoranesi now is arguably the best in Serie A, and one of the best in Europe. Additionally, although slow of the mark so far this transfer campaign, Milan, if they sign prospected purchases in Huntelaar and Fabiano will not be far behind a Scudetto push. Roma and Fiorentina are perhaps the only others that can Challenge, as Lazio, although cup holders, are too inconsistent to at the moment although they may have the ability to beat some of the big sides. Roma, without the Champions League, could focus their energy on the league and they did go close two seasons ago whilst the prospect of a Fiorentina challenge has been developing for some time.