After 5 successive Scudetti, Inter noticed their Serie A dominance ended by metropolis rivals Milan.
The lack of coach Jose Mourinho to Actual Madrid was decisive, with the analytical Rafael Benitez proving an insufficient substitute for the charismatic Portuguese.
Nonetheless, big credit score needed to go to Massimiliano Allegri, who totally justified the Rossoneri’s religion in him by ending their seven-year title drought. Certainly, the previous Cagliari boss expertly managed a number of colossal egos, together with these of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Antonio Cassano.
Allegri bought the perfect out of the proficient however temperamental Kevin-Prince Boateng, restored the defensive solidity for which the Rossoneri have been as soon as famend – they conceded simply 24 targets throughout the 2010-11 Serie A season – and pulled off a masterstroke in buying the abrasive Mark van Bommel in January to bolster the midfield.
CHANGES
Allegri arrived at San Siro in June, two months after he had been surprisingly sacked by Cagliari, and noticed his squad strengthened at low price.
Boateng was co-owned with Genoa, whereas Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola wished rid of Ibrahimovic in any respect prices, so the Swede was allowed to hitch Milan on mortgage, albeit with an choice to purchase for €24m.
Ibra’s transfer to metropolis rivals Milan harm Inter followers dearly and their ache turned to anger when membership president Massimo Moratti refused to make a single vital signing till Giampaolo Pazzini joined from Sampdoria in January.
By that stage, although, a annoyed Benitez had already been changed at helm by Leonardo.
Juventus’ new coach, Luigi Delneri, at the very least managed to see out the season however his companies weren’t retained after failing to get the very best out the Outdated Girl’s most costly summer season signings Leonardo Bonucci (€15.5m) and Milos Krasic (€15m).
Elsewhere, the financial disaster hit onerous. Certainly, Roma have been pressured into taking a chance on former Inter ace Adriano that didn’t repay in any respect, however Lazio picked up Sao Paulo midfielder Hernanes for what proved a discount €8m.
SEASON SUMMARY
After dropping their opening recreation of the season, at Genoa, Lazio received seven of their subsequent eight to maneuver to the summit of the standings, however Edoardo Reja’s males didn’t have enough energy in depth to problem for the title they usually have been in the end crushed to fourth place by Udinese.
Francesco Guidolin’s aspect have been one of many tales of the season, with Alexis Sanchez in nice kind alongside Antonio Di Natale, and a 2-1 victory over Lazio on matchday 36 – Di Natale bought each targets – performed a significant function within the Zebrette qualifying for the Champions League.
Juventus, in the meantime, seemed sure to complete within the high 4 after going unbeaten between the tail finish of September and the flip of 12 months, however they then capitulated, with a run of seven defeats in 11 matches contributing to a second successive seventh-placed end.
Inter began promisingly, going high after simply 4 rounds of motion, however was to be nearly as good because it bought for Benitez, who was dismissed two days earlier than Christmas, after falling out with membership president Massimo Moratti.
Certainly, the Spaniard’s sacking had come simply 5 days after main Inter to Membership World Cup glory,y and the missing of backing he had obtained within the switch market had undoubtedly contributed to the Nerazzurri’s patchy kind in Serie A.
Nevertheless, it was additionally evident that Benitez had misplaced among the gamers, one thing solely made all of the extra apparent by the way in which which through which Inter’s kind picked up dramatically following the arrival of Leonardo as boss.
Certainly, the Brazilian threatened to derail Milan’s march in direction of the title, serving to the Nerazzurri draw to inside two factors of the league leaders going into the derby on April 2.
Nevertheless, the Rossoneri triumphed 3-0 due to an Alexandre Pato double and Allegri’s costs embarked upon a five-game profitable streak, in the end sealing the Scudetto with a scoreless draw with Roma.
AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Ibrahimovic returned after a turbulent 12 months in Spain to take care of his unblemished report of Serie Successful by profitable a sixth successive Scudetto (on the sphere).
MANAGER OF THE SEASON
MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI
The previous Cagliari was rightly rewarded for having led the Rossoneri to a primary Serie A title since 2004 in what was his first season at San Siro.
TOP GOALSCORER
ANTONIO DI NATALE – 28 GOALS
The 33-year-old solely additional enhanced his iconic standing by retaining his Capocannoniere crown by netting 28 targets for Udinese.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
JUAN MANUEL VARGAS’ beautiful volley in opposition to Udinese is a objective of sensational approach, given the Fiorentina ace was transferring away from the objective when he made the right reference to the ball.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
HANDANOVIC; MAGGIO, SILVA, NESTA, ARMERO; HAMSIK, MOTTA, BOATENG; IBRAHIMOVIC, DI NATALE, CAVANI
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFER
Robinho
Manchester Metropolis to Milan
€18m
KEY MOMENT OF THE SEASON
Any actual likelihood Inter had of profitable their crunch derby with Milan ended the second Christian Chivu was dismissed for knowledgeable foul on Pato early within the second half. The Nerazzurri have been simply 1-0 down on the time however Milan went on to win 3-0 and that victory propelled them to the title.
