Inter's Serie A title charge delayed after Torino fightback
Inter Milan's Serie A title celebrations were put on hold after a 2-2 draw away to Torino on Friday evening, a result that leaves Simone Inzaghi's side requiring three more points to secure the Scudetto. The league leaders had surged into a two-goal lead through early strikes from Hakan Calhanoglu and Marcus Thuram, but were pegged back by a spirited Torino fightback, with Duvan Zapata and Ivan Ilic scoring in the final 20 minutes to share the spoils.
Inter's assistant coach, Cristian Chivu, who spoke to the media post-match in place of Inzaghi, admitted to a sense of regret after letting the win slip. According to quotes published by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chivu said the team had the match under control but were ultimately rattled by Torino's late energy. "We tried to make it 3-2, but in certain matches you also risk losing them," Chivu stated, paying tribute to the hosts for never giving up.
The dropped points come amid a challenging period for Inter's squad, with several key players managing fitness issues. Chivu revealed that Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries were not fully fit, while he had hoped to give minutes to defender Alessandro Bastoni, who has only recently returned to training. Star striker Lautaro Martinez's return from injury is also described as a longer-term issue. This context of physical strain, following a season of immense effort, was cited by the coach as a factor in the late collapse.
Despite the setback, Inter's position remains commanding. They need just one victory from their remaining five matches to clinch a 20th Italian league title, which would earn them a second star on the club crest. Chivu emphasized the need for continued focus, praising his players for a historic campaign that has seen them win 25 games and score over 100 goals. The immediate focus now shifts to next weekend's fixture, where a win would officially dethrone rivals AC Milan and confirm their domestic dominance.
The draw, while a minor delay, does little to alter the inevitable conclusion of the Serie A season. Inter's significant lead at the summit has allowed them to manage player workloads ahead of a crucial summer, where the club's focus is expected to shift to strengthening the squad for another deep Champions League run. For now, the final step to the title remains a formality, with the Nerazzurri poised to seal the deal on home soil in their coming matches.
