Inter Milan closed out 2024 with a whimper, beating Cagliari 3-0 on the road to take provisional top spot in Serie A. The match once more underlined the depth of the Nerazzurri squad, now on 40 points and very much in the running for the title. Moreover, their statistics this season are nothing short of extraordinary: five wins in a row, one of the most prolific attacks in the league.
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A solid and versatile team
One of Inter’s defining traits this season has been their ability to find solutions within the squad. Against Cagliari, Alessandro Bastoni became the 18th different player to score for Inter in Serie A, a feat that highlights the depth and versatility of Simone Inzaghi’s roster. Bastoni’s goal came from a brilliant assist by Niccolò Barella, who also set up Lautaro Martínez for another strike.
Lautaro further cemented his position as Cagliari’s biggest nemesis in Inter’s history, scoring his 10th goal against the Sardinian side. To seal the win, Çalhanoglu showcased his trademark precision, delivering a goal that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
The numbers that stand out
The 2024 season has been a watershed year for Inter, culminating in winning the covered Second Star-20th Serie A title-a milestone that will forever be part of the history of the club. Not to be outdone by the stats, most wins, with 27 out of 38 games, most goals scored at 92, fewest losses at 2, and the fewest goals conceded at 29 in Serie A during the year.
This statistical dominance establishes Inter as Italy’s leading team and a strong contender to replicate their success in 2025. However, as Simone Inzaghi pointed out, the focus is now on what lies ahead, particularly the Italian Super Cup to be played in Saudi Arabia.
Inzaghi’s role in Inter’s success
After the game, Simone Inzaghi insisted on organization and team commitment as a reason for keeping Inter in excellent form. "At the end of the first half, I praised the team because it wasn't easy to play against a well-organized Cagliari. We stayed patient, put on a brilliant show, and earned the win with a lot of effort," he said.
Inzaghi also mentioned that recently, the team has been doing great with set-piece execution and was rewarded for it in the game. Looking ahead at the schedule, he said, "I'm lucky to have important players. We know this will be tough, but we're ready."
The heart of the attack
If there is one player who can represent Inter's spirit, it has to be Lautaro Martínez. The Argentine has been vital not only for his goals but also for his leadership and intense work on the field. Inzaghi didn't hold himself back on the praise of his No. 10: "Lautaro will never be a problem for Inter but always a solution. He gives us so much and knows he needs to keep playing for the team.".
With the belief of his coach and teammates having his back, Lautaro stays as the pivot in an attack prepared for great things to happen in 2025. His goals and assists will be critical to Inter trying to capture more silverware.
Going into 2025
This victory over Cagliari marks the start of what seems to be no less difficult for Inter, at least on paper. The Super Cup and the final stage of Serie A mean the team has to stay tuned for some time now. Simone Inzaghi is already making the most ambitious predictions for the next year but clearly knows that nothing will be given easily.
We won the Second Star, which will always bind us together, but now we have to look ahead. We know we have important goals to reach in 2025," Inzaghi said, fully aware of the high expectations surrounding the club.