Inter clinched their 21st Serie A title in history yesterday, coming up with a 2-0 win over Parma. As celebrations ensued in the city, praise was deservedly hurled at a host of Inter players who have played a big role in the triumph.
Silently and while being a minor part of the celebrations at the San Siro, Beppe Marotta hugged almost everyone that has played a role at Inter, in absolute joy. The players that he brought to the Nerazzurri enjoyed themselves, dancing, leaping onto each other after what has been a sometimes difficult campaign. Despite initial doubts about their title credentials, Cristian Chivu pulled through, winning their second league title in three years.
Marotta though, probably knew they have to go again. He isn’t new to this, having masterminded Juventus’ rise back to the top amidst the backdrop of the Calciopoli.
At Inter perhaps, his ways have shined through much more. His departure from the Bianconeri, in a way, sparked their downfall and that coincided with his arrival at the Meazza. This has led to Inter becoming perhaps one of the most stable footballing institutions in the game right now.
Marotta’s arrival at Inter was met with a bit of a shock. Those who know the Italian game simply knew what was coming. At Juve, he operated like a man who always had a plan. Managers were hired with a larger idea in mind, making it easy for players to settle in, new signings to be made in a very co-ordinated way. Free transfers were a theme but there was always an idea behind them and there was always a spot in the squad which they could fill.
At Inter, this has deservedly garnered more attention. A host of so-called big clubs in Italy have often fallen flat, changing managers while never quite having a larger identity in mind. Money is squandered despite the harsh financial realities of calcio and the impact on clubs is rather long lasting.
In an environment like that, Marotta has turned Inter into an example. They barely spend big amounts, relying on market opportunities that fix specific problem areas in the squad. Even if they spend big on a player, those moves are executes in initial loans, spreading out payments and those players add value to the squad or boast potential that goes beyond what players out there of a similar profile can offer.
But that isn’t the entire idea that Marotta operates in. The Italian doesn’t make drastic changes to squad identity.
Inter have gone from having Antonio Conte to Simone Inzaghi to Chivu as managers. All of them have similar larger ideas and formations, with some changes in the tactical approaches. Conte was more transitional in the 3-5-2, Inzaghi’s teams had more control of possession but Chivu’s teams are more intense, pressing high, playing quickly between the lines, mirroring a Jurgen Klopp team. All this while, the 3-5-2 hasn’t gone away.
This has made easy for players to slip into roles, making sure the squad has not undergone changes.
Compare that to Milan or even Juve. The Rossoneri have had three different managers of different types in the last 12 months. Player performances have gone up and down, with established players often looking like a shadow of themselves. Juve have been quite the same, jumping from one manager to next and that instability has made players look worse than they are.
Inter haven’t witnessed these problems because of Marotta’s planning and it will keep them in good stead for years to come.
Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
