Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi admits he felt his team was cursed just before scoring the pivotal winner against Hellas Verona.
The Nerazzurri eventually won the Serie A title with a 19-point gap over their closest chasers AC Milan and with five rounds to spare.
Yet, in the middle of the season, Juventus emerged as a serious threat to Simone Inzaghi’s title aspirations.
The Bianconeri were breathing down Inter’s neck, cutting the gap on the back of a solid run.
Therefore, the Nerazzurri had to remain on their toes and avoid dropping points, especially against lowly opposition.
Hence, the last thing Inter needed in January was a draw against the struggling Verona at San Siro.
In the dying minutes of the match, Alessandro Bastoni’s rocket crashed against the crossbar, much to the temporary dismay of the Inter faithful.
But a few seconds later, Frattesi emerged as the ultimate hero by pouncing on a rebounded shot.
The goal eventually stood following a long VAR review while everyone at the stadium held their breath.
Inter Milan Star Davide Frattesi Recalls Iconic Winner Vs Hellas Verona
For his part, the match winner reveals he almost lost hope when he saw Bastoni’s shot being denied by the post.
“This was the craziest match I’ve ever played,” said the former Sassuolo man in the ‘Inter, due stelle sul petto’ film which recalls the events of the previous campaign (via FcInterNews).
“When Alessandro Bastoni hit the crossbar I said: ‘It’s not possible, this is not our year’. And the pitch wasn’t great as I recall.
“But I said to myself ‘I’m going to try’. And that’s when everything exploded.”
Verona then had the chance to equalize from the spot. However, Thomas Henry couldn’t hit the target, thus ending a sensational contest in a 2-1 victory for Inter.