Following the recent 1-1 draw between Inter Milan and table-toppers Napoli at the San Siro, the Italian top flight is looking tighter than ever before.
Just two points separate the top six, with the aforementioned duo as well as Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio, and Juventus all having their sights firmly etched onto the Scudetto.
But for the Nerazzurri, fans are dreaming of even more than domestic glory.
Inter Make Impressive Start On Three Fronts
While Inter certainly have Serie A ambitions, their start to the newly revamped UEFA Champions League has triggered some lofty expectations.
The Italian champions have already picked up some crucial victories against English giants Arsenal, Red Star Belgrade, and Young Boys.
Add to that the fact that Simone Inzaghi’s side is also through to the latter stages of the Coppa Italia, and a trophy-laden season could be in the offing.
If you’re somewhat of a betting connoisseur and you fancy the Nerazzurri to pick up two or more trophies this season, you might want to look into trixie betting sooner rather than later. With a trixie, punters pick out three selections which are then divided into four bets – three doubles and a treble. If Simone Inzaghi’s men can claim any two of Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League, then a portion of your bet would win. If they follow in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho’s heroes of 2010, then you could stand a chance
How realistic are these ambitions? Let’s find out.
Serie A
Inter Milan’s pursuit of another treble is a tantalizing prospect. They have achieved this feat once before, memorably conquering all under the maverick Jose Mourinho back in 2010.
Back then, the Special One took full advantage of a weaker AC Milan and Juventus to romp to a famous treble, inspiring an aging squad consisting of the likes of Javier Zanetti and Diego Militio to one last hurrah.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Nerazzurri are once again aiming for glory in all three major competitions but for that to come to fruition, they have to take care of the bread and butter.
In Serie A, Inter Milan’s chances look promising. Under the astute leadership of Inzaghi, the reigning champions team have been staunch in defence, conceding just 14 goals, the fifth lowest in the league.
That has provided the perfect platform for lethal strikers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram to shine, and ultimately they have done exactly that. The striking duo has netted 13 goals between them this term, and more look set to come in the coming weeks.
This term, however, the competition looks fiercer than ever. Antonio Conte has revolutionized Napoli and is aiming to lead a third different team to the Scudetto.
Rivals Juventus and Milan remain perenial contenders, while Atalanta, Lazio, and Fiorentina have all thrown their names into the hat as early contenders. Navigating a tricky course should be the first order of business for Inzaghi.
Champions League
Turning to the Champions League, Inter Milan faces a different set of challenges. In recent years, the Nerazzurri has certainly turned a corner on the continental stage.
They managed to reach the final against all odds in 2023 and were somewhat unlucky to ultimately lose that contest against Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City. The competition however is notoriously unforgiving, and the road to the final is fraught with hurdles, just as Inter found out last season.
Despite being heavy favourites to progress, Inzaghi’s men were dumped out in the Round of 16 last term, surrendering a first-leg advantage to ultimately lose out to Atletico Madrid on penalties.
This season, they have set about rectifying last season’s disappointment, and they currently find themselves in fifth place in the enhanced league stage, ahead of most of Europe’s elite and a direct path to the Round of 16 awaits.
If they can maintain their current form, expectations of European glory may well grow.
Coppa Italia
Finally, we have the Coppa Italia, a tournament that Inter Milan have made their own in recent times. The Nerazzurri have claimed the crown twice in the last three years although they exited in the Round of 16 following a defeat to Bologna last season.
Avoiding a similar banana skin this season is crucial if they wish to have any hope of dragging their treble hopes deep into the campaign.