10 days ago, Inter seemed to be on top of the world, fighting for revenge in the Champions League whilst preparing their Scudetto party, so how has everything changed so quickly?

The Nerazzurri had looked almost flawless across the course of the 2023-24 season, dropping points just four teams in their first 28 league outings. In the Champions League, they carefully navigating the group stage, rotating the squad heavily to maintain fitness, a move that saw them finish second.

This second-place finish left them with a group winner in the Champions League Round of 16, but fans felt relieved when they drew up against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who haven’t looked at their best in La Liga this term.

On the morning of March 13th, Inter found themselves on the precipice of dreamland; they’d all but secured their Scudetto and could now focus all their efforts on the Champions League, desperate to go one step further after their second-place finish last season, and already had one foot in the quarter-finals.

Well, things didn’t go to plan in Madrid. Atletico fought hard and managed to edge out victory after a tense penalty shoot-out, a result that broke blue and black hearts across the world. In a flash, their 1-0 advantage was gone and Inzaghi’s side had to stomach the bitter end of their European dream.

Well, at least Inter could still smile knowing their historic 20th Scudetto was only weeks away, right?

Then Inter hosted Napoli. Whilst the result, a 1-1 draw, was fairly disappointing, it was understandable fresh after their Champions League exit. The accompanying drama, however, instantly cast storm clouds over the Nerazzurri.

Juan Jesus alleged that Francesco Acerbi had racially abused him in the closing stages of the match, a reprehensible claim that has immediately thrust Inter into the centre of chaos. Both players have now been interviewed by the FIGC prosecutors and the Italian defender risks at 10-match ban.

In the space of 10 days, Inter have gone from dreaming in Europe and smiling in Italy, to watching their rivals fight for continental glory whilst having to sit by as a key player attempts to defend himself against allegations of racism. In football, things move fast, and no-one has found that out quicker than Inter in 2024.

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