4 talking points: Champions Inter Milan steamroll Sampdoria 5-1, Sanchez scores a double

Alexis Sanchez-Inter Milan

After sealing their first Scudetto in over a decade, Serie A champions Inter Milan returned to action this weekend, brushing aside Sampdoria to extend their remarkable unbeaten run.

Antonio Conte’s men scored three times in the first half with an Alexis Sanchez double after an opener by Gagliardini, sending them on their way to a comfortable home win.

Goals

Inter Milan—Gagliardini (4), Sanchez (26, 36), Pinamonti (61), Martinez (70 penalty).

Sampdoria—Keita Balde (35).

Inter Milan remain hungry

After sealing the title over the weekend, one could have forgiven Inter Milan if they had put up a lacklustre performance in this game. After all, the season’s goal has been achieved. It was okay to party and let off some steam.

But such vanity is not for this Inter Milan side. Antonio Conte’s side came out flying from the off and showed that they weren’t ready to slack despite sealing the title. Within four minutes, they were ahead, scoring a further four before the game finished. Even when they conceded, they were quick to restore their advantage. Overall, they outfought their visitors and never allowed their standard to drop.

Gagliardini, Sanchez, D’Ambrosio shine

The early elimination from all European competitions meant that Antonio Conte was able to field almost the same starting XI every week since the turn of the year.

But at San Siro on Saturday, he made seven changes to the side that won at Crotone last week. Neither Romelu Lukaku, Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij started this time.

Despite the raft of changes, the level did not drop for the hosts. Fringe players like Roberto Gagliardini and D’Ambrosio fitted in seamlessly, while Alexis Sanchez more than made up for Lukaku’s absence.

The coach was also able to substitute the ever-present veteran keeper Samir Handanovic for Andrei Radu after the break to show his squad strength.

Next Season’s Preparations already underway

Inter Milan are already preparing for next season’s title challenge. While the rest of the league are still trying to sort their season out, Inter Milan already appear to be putting the framework for next season in place.

With pre-season expected to brief and largely ineffective due to the summer games, Antonio Conte seems to be trying out his players to ascertain who is fitting in and who needs to go. 

Eriksen was allowed to play with Gagliardini and Vecino in midfield this time, while Andrea Ranocchia and D’Ambrosio were given a run out in defence.

Conte and Inter will be difficult to stop next season

Conte is just getting started at Inter Milan. This game was the Italians 200th Serie A game as a coach, and the win was his 136th, making him the manager with the most wins in his first 200 Serie A games in the three points for a win era.

Also, the win made it 19 games unbeaten in the league for Inter and 14 wins in a row for them—the first time in their history.

The former Juventus coach has moulded this Inter side into a winning machine, and on the evidence of tonight’s game, it is safe to believe that the Nerazzurri will be even more difficult to beat next season.