[han2503]

We'll keep all Coppa discussion in this one thread considering the very low activity in the forum atm

[maldini03]

Addressing Fillipo - I personally feel better at the end of this year then I did last year. Let me explain why:

Coach: Major Upgrade - I know on the surface it doesn't seem like we upgraded here but I think we have. Gattuso brings something that Montella did. Both coaches are meh tacticians. But nowadays how many coaches are truly amazing tacticians? A small handful, a very small handful. But Gattuso brings something that other coaches (Montella) lack. He brings passion, zeal, and anger. When the team loses and plays awfully he holds players (and himself) accountable. He incites something in players when there are no true champions in the locker room having someone like that can inspire players to play out of their skin. Look at Conte. When he began Juve were not in a good spot, he had a few champions but he was the one who lit a fire under those players.

It's a long ride to get back to the top. In my life, I got to see Milan in 3 CL finals and win two of them. This is incredibly lucky on its own - very few teams can achieve this even with all of the money in the world. Look at Bayern and PSG and City. All of the money and superstars on superstars, but that can't buy championships. The best teams grow senators establish a culture and try and catch the next wave and ride it out to the CL. We have been believing in our academy for years and it is beginning to bear fruit.

How many teams in Serie A have the players with the potential that we have? Maybe Juve? No other team has so many of their own homegrown players in the team and showing promise. Let the boys grow into men. Let the coach grow into a tactician supplement them with players who can help in the short term and invest for the future.

We are just starting on the path. We were bought last year they have had 1 summer and 1 technical director get a shot at this. Look at Napoli, how many years have they come close and every year they run it back with a tweak or two. Look at Rome, same thing. This path takes time but of those teams who have their own youth in the team that have a real chance of blossoming into something. We have Donna, Romag, Calabria, Loca, Kessie, Calhanoglu, Suso, Cutro, Silva. All of those guys have potential and next year will be better than this year.

This project will take baby steps and patience, a smart move here and there, and tons of luck. But I see the future being bright for us. Keep the faith. The longer the climb the better the view from the top.

I have been feeling the same way as you for parts of this season but I look at my father a lifelong Inter fan, he saw some good years, some poor years. Finally, in 2010, he got to see them win the treble and even talking about that memory brings sheer joy to the man. We will be back. Not this year, maybe not next year but soon it will be our time again and we will revel in it because of the grind it took to get there.