It should have been one of this season’s grand occasions. Inter v Napoli as winter turns to spring: a passing-of-the-baton moment with Serie A’s champions-elect hosting the team who shocked the world when they won the Scudetto last year. We wanted fireworks. We got two flamed-out teams, and a game overshadowed by accusations of a player using racist language.
Technically, there were pyrotechnics. Inter were welcomed to San Siro by supporters setting off illuminations and displaying a banner with the words “Fieri di voi” – “Proud of you”. After the disappointment of a midweek Champions League defeat by Atlético Madrid, ultras from the Curva Nord made a deliberate show of gratitude for what has nevertheless been a remarkable year.
