Just before 4:30 AM, Nanjing time, the energeticSteven Zhang sprung into action, as he used to at San Siro. While Juventus’ Gatti missed the goal in Milan, in China, the Inter president celebrated yet another blow to the Old Lady. Through ups and downs, from initial moments of grandeur to subsequent financial difficulties, the Nerazzurri’s number one has always lived his club presidency in the shadow of eternal rivalry with Juventus: after gaining momentum, he for the first time dethroned the Scudetto-hungry Lady. This time, his Nerazzurri suffocated Juventus’ attempt to climb back to the top. For some time, the top spot in Italy, snatched by Suning’s Inter in recent years, will remain undisputable. Indeed, never before has Zhang felt so close to his second Scudetto, after the first won with Antonio Conte on the bench in the 2020/21 season: for this reason, he celebrated via social media with an Instagram story that was quite iconic, a black background with stars plus the Italian phrase “amala” (love it) that fans love so much.The title lost two seasons ago against Milan still fills the presidential thoughts: no new drop in tension is allowed. Zhang himself repeated this within the series of phone calls and messages made before managing to sleep: he discussed it with the top executives, with the coach, and even with some players. Every compliment for the Scudetto push was accompanied by a warning for the rest of the season: the job must be completed in May. The second star is an Italian corporate mission, while the bulk of his Chinese days are spent trying to refinance the expiring loan.There can be only one in Italy, and that’s Inter! Nerazzurri deservedly beat JuveWatching his beloved team in the middle of the night is certainly nothing new: Suning’s young leader has managed this since he left Italy to return home last July. The last live match he saw was the friendly Inter-PSG played in Tokyo on 1 August 2023. Despite nostalgia and the invitations received, Zhang has not yet scheduled his return to Italy. He was also scarcely seen in China except for a few public appearances. Steven will be in Italy only after he has definitively resolved the club’s situation, which is more pressing than the Scudetto race itself. On 20 May, the deadline expires for the repayment of over $375 million ($295 million plus interest) borrowed from the American fund Oaktree. But soon, it will be understood whether the loan refinancing, the operation on which the Chinese businessman has proceeded with determination, will be successful.##NAJAVA_MECA_7855554##There is no doubt that this is the preferred option, at least in theory, considering that the club’s minimum valuation of $1.3 billion has so far deterred potential buyers. But it is also true that the margins for error are not so large: time is running out to finalize the refinancing legally, and it’s difficult to go beyond the end of this month or a little more. Meanwhile, the president’s antennas are pointed towards the United States, the homeland of both Oaktree and other funds that have shown interest, always in contact with the two chosen advisors, Goldman Sachs and Raine Group. In short, the second star wants to be pinned to the Nerazzurri chest by him, Steven, and no one else. Moreover, in his planning with his collaborators in Milan, the president continues to think in the medium term, not the short term. After all, being in the history of the club must be pleasant: with the Super Cup just won, the sixth trophy of his tenure, he is now only one title away from Angelo Moratti, father of Massimo and the Grande Inter, second in the ranking of the most successful Nerazzurri presidents. “They play the best football in Italy.” 🇮🇹@Mikegrella10, @iftvmarco and @TMeola1 believe Inter have seriously strengthen their Scudetto chances with a win over Juventus. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/kYjfUSuEKZ— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 4, 2024 With the Scudetto in May, it would be a tie. Then, with new liquidity, why not think about expanding the trophy cabinet even more?
