Inter Milan kicked off their quest to reclaim the Serie A crown emphatically, delivering a stunning 5-0 thrashing of a beleaguered Torino. This match marked a significant milestone as Cristian Chivu took the reins in his debut at the iconic San Siro.
In a thrilling display, Alessandro Bastoni ignited the scoring in the 18th minute with a masterful glancing header. Following his lead, Marcus Thuram found the net in both halves, while Lautaro Martinez and the new signing Ange-Yoan Bonny sealed a commanding win for the home side.
Inter are poised to emerge as Napoli’s fiercest rivals in the race for the Scudetto, especially after a heart-wrenching conclusion to last season that saw them relinquish the title on the final day, capped off by a devastating defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
“What transpired last year is behind us. Our focus now is to give our all for Inter,” stated Thuram, who delivered a standout performance in front of his father, the legendary Lilian, and his brother Khephren.
The 20-time Italian champions showcased a revitalised spirit, contrasting sharply with the weary, ageing squad that fell to PSG last May. Despite the starting line-up including just one fresh face in Petar Sucic, the team exuded a sense of renewed vigour.
Sucic showcased his playmaking prowess by setting up Thuram for his inaugural goal of the season in the 36th minute, delivering a perfectly timed pass that exploited Torino’s lacklustre defence.
Martinez seized the opportunity presented by a poor pass from Gvidas Gineitis, sliding in to net the third just six minutes after the break. Ten minutes later, Thuram added to the tally, heading in a superb deep cross from Bastoni, which accurately mirrored the flow of the match.
Thuram’s successor, in the 72nd minute, Bonny capitalised on yet another lacklustre display of passing from Torino, right in front of their own penalty area, seizing the opportunity to fire in the fifth goal with precision.
“Returning to the San Siro in a coaching capacity is an incredible experience, but my focus remains on fulfilling my duties and responsibilities,” stated Chivu, a key player in Inter’s historic treble win in 2010.
Chivu steps onto the pitch as a rookie, having recently joined Inter during the off-season following a brief stint at Parma, where he held his first senior coaching role for just a few matches.
The atmosphere was notably subdued.
The match showcased a powerful performance that would typically ignite a vibrant crowd, yet the atmosphere was punctuated by extended moments of near silence from the home supporters. This subdued environment was mainly due to a protest from the dedicated “ultra” fans, who are usually the heartbeat of the stadium’s energy.
A significant contingent of ultras gathered outside the stadium, voicing their dissent against the controversial “black list” that has led to supporters being barred from renewing their season tickets in the famed “Curva Nord” section of the San Siro.
Inter’s recent move follows a significant ruling in June, where a group of prominent ultras from both Milan clubs faced sentences of up to 10 years in prison for various serious offences.
The former leaders of the Curva Nord, who have been behind bars since their arrest in September of the previous year, have been convicted of criminal conspiracy with aggravating circumstances linked to mafia tactics. Notably, their chief, Andrea Beretta, has also been found guilty of the murder of a mobster associated with a notorious ‘Ndrangheta clan.
Beretta, along with four accomplices, faces serious allegations related to the orchestrated murder of Vittorio Boiocchi in October 2022. Boiocchi, known as a prominent figure among the Inter ultras and a seasoned criminal, has become a focal point in this unfolding drama.
The murder of Boiocchi has been linked to the fierce competition over highly profitable matchday operations, encompassing ticket touting, parking management, and concession stand sales.
The subdued cheers from the home crowd allowed Torino’s travelling supporters to stand out, their ironic “ole” echoing through the stadium with each rare successful pass. The atmosphere was further charged by the vocal dissent aimed at club owner Urbano Cairo, making it clear that frustration was palpable among the fans.
Based on Monday’s performance, Marco Baroni’s squad is in for a challenging season as they fight to avoid relegation.
