After a wait that lasted for eleven long years, Inter are once again the Italian champions. Antonio Conte’s men had a relatively slow start to the campaign, marred by a disappointing early exit from the Champions League. Nonetheless, the Nerazzurri benefited from their European elimination, putting together a spectacular domestic run between January and May, and sealed the Scudetto title rather comfortably.
So let’s take a look at the best and worst performers in 2020-21 from the newly crowned champions.
Flop #3 – Stefano Sensi
Last season, Conte complained from the lack of experience of both Stefano Sensi and Nicolò Barella. Whilst one of them managed to overcome the initial difficulties and become a pillar for the team, the other is still unable to find his feet within the club.
Plagues by recurring injuries, the 25-year-old only managed to make four starts during the campaign, failing to contribute in a single goal or assist.
Italy midfielder Stefano Sensi is a major doubt for #EURO2020 after picking up a thigh injury during Inter Milan’s win over Udinese yesterday #SSFootball
— SuperSport Blitz (@SuperSportBlitz) May 24, 2021
Top #3 – Milan Skriniar
After having one foot outside of the club last summer, the Slovakian completed a major turnaround during the course of the season.
The former Sampdoria man was ever-present at the back for the Nerazzurri, helping his side in maintaining numerous clean sheets, whilst his winner against Atalanta was a major blow for anyone who was still trying to catch Inter at that point.
3 – Inter and Leipzig are the only two sides with three defenders to have scored at least three goals in the Top-5 European Leagues this season: Skriniar, D'Ambrosio (three both) and Hakimi (six). Fuel.#InterAtalanta #SerieA pic.twitter.com/URdICl5EAj
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 8, 2021
Flop #2 – Arturo Vidal
We all knew that the bulldozer who operated in Juve’s midfield was long gone, and yet, the Chilean’s contributions this season can still be considered as a let-down.
Besides the goal he scored against his former side in the Derby d’Italia, the midfielder looked like a slow and tired version of his old self during the first part of the season, whilst the latter part was mostly spent at the treatment table.
12 League Titles In 15 Years ?@kingarturo23 ??? pic.twitter.com/tHoEzAFtWf
— Goal (@goal) May 22, 2021
Top #2 – Achraf Hakimi
For someone like Conte – who just adores wing-backs – Hakimi’s arrival must have been perceived as a gift from heavens, even though he still found reasons to complain of his performances at times.
During his first season in Italian football, the Moroccan contributed in 7 goals and 10 assists in Serie A – which are undoubtedly some enormous figures for a player in his position – and arguably making a claim for himself as the best right wing-back in the world.
Achraf Hakimi wasn’t named in FIFA’s Serie A Team of the Season and he didn’t hold back ? pic.twitter.com/JxYwXjKZhp
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 21, 2021
Flop #1 – Aleksandar Kolarov
At the age of 35, Inter decided to rely on the Serbian’s services mainly for two reasons. 1) Conte can’t sign enough wing-backs. 2) Giuseppe Marotta can’t sign enough free agents.
Well, let’s just say that things didn’t go according to plan for all parties involved. The former Lazio and Roma man struggled as a part of the back-three early in the season – especially against Milan – and then found himself either on the bench or injured, with his last start dating back all the way to October.
A season to forget for the veteran freekick expert.
After Ashley #Young, #Inter will not extend Aleksandar #Kolarov's contract (expires in June). Also Andrea #Ranocchia could leave at the end of the season. Meanwhile Danilo #DAmbrosio will extend his contract for another year. #transfers https://t.co/zcJejSCoqF
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) March 30, 2021
Top #1 – Romelu Lukaku
Whilst his first season at Inter was a decent one, the Belgian took his game up a notch this time around, and finally seemed to be fulfilling his earlier potential by cementing himself as one of the most terrifying strikers in world football.
With his incredible strength, blistering pace and exquisite finish, the former Manchester United star is just unstoppable on his day – just ask Alessio Romagnoli or some of the Lazio defenders who were left in his wake.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo pipped him for the Serie A top scorer award, Lukaku’s contribution to his team was arguably more important, and his ever-growing partnership with Lautaro Martinez is perhaps amongst the best in the world.
2020/21 was the season Romelu Lukaku proved he is one of the most complete centre-forwards in the world.
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) May 23, 2021