Inter Milan was made a laughing stock by Bodø/Glimt, both at Aspmyra and San Siro. Thierry Henry has always warned that Bodø/Glimt wins against the big clubs should no longer surprise anyone, but the Italian media presented it as one of the lowest Italian football can get. Second after being beaten by the Norwegian national team with 1-4 at the San Siro, of course. Inter Milan are outside the Champions League, but have ambitions of a title in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Two losses against the Norwegian club seem to characterize the performances here as well.
Of course, it’s not all about Bodø/Glimt at Inter Milan, but there is little doubt that the players and supporters at Serie A’s best club have had a sharp drop in their confidence after two losses against a “football mosquito” and debutant in the Champions League. On Sunday, there was another downturn.
Then it was time for a city derby against AC Milan, a game Inter have not won in two years. Not just a big game against city rivals at the San Siro, Milan are ten points behind in the table and chased three points to cut the gap with eleven games left in the season. Before the game, it was a clearly defensive Inter coach Cristian Chivu who addressed his own supporters.
“Since the beginning of the year, we have worked a lot on the mental preparation for each match, regardless of the opponent. I think we have grown a lot in this regard. We are facing a strong team, who have had an impressive season so far and have players at the top level, but we will try to be the best version of ourselves,” the Inter coach told the club’s website before the Milan game.
It has gone anything but smoothly for Serie A’s best club. Because after two losses against Bodø/Glimt and a win against Genoa, Inter was stopped by another “football mosquito”. Two years ago, Como was down in Serie B, on Tuesday Bodø/Glimt-inspired Cesc Fabregas led Como to a 0-0 draw in the first semi-final of the Coppa Italia against Inter Milan. A game Como deserved to win.
Then it was time for a new city derby. Inter Milan couldn’t get up here either. AC Milan scored after 35 minutes by Estupiñán, and kept the score all the way to a 1-0 victory.
This sends AC Milan three points closer to Inter at the top of Serie A, seven points ahead. Two losses against Bodø/Glimt (with goals by former AC Milan player Jens Petter Hauge in both games), admittedly a win against Genoa, but a draw against Como and a loss against AC Milan. Doesn’t exactly sound like a league leader who has risen completely after being put in his place by Bodø/Glimt.
On Saturday, Atalanta comes to the San Siro, they smell an Inter Milan on the defensive.
