When you think of
Inter Milan you think of both great football players and stunning soccer kits. Each shirt brings back memories of players such as Ronaldo, Baggio, Adriano, Zanetti - we could go on forever here - and the classic Serie A, Champions League and Uefa Cup games! We asked Inter fanatic and Vintage Football Shirts fan
Anthony Deriu to pick his favourite five Inter football kits.
Inter 1991-1992 Away
For my first choice I'm going with the shirt from the year I was born, 1991. Although I have absolutely no memory of this football shirt been worn on the pitch it's one of my favorite designs. I love the black and blue patterns on the shoulder of the shirt and the discreet patterns in the fabric. The kit also has a great press-stud Umbro collar, love that vintage look! This season was the last year we saw the superstar World Cup winning German trio of Jurgan Klinsmann, Lothar Matthäus and Andreas Brehme at Inter after a fairly disapointing season. This Umbro design was also worn the following season, 1992-93, but with a different sponsor, Fiorucci, and a different German in Matthias Sammer.
Inter 1997-1998 European Third
What can I say about this design? It's probably one of the most popular Inter shirts of all-time, and also one of my favourites. I imagine it's the fact that it's closely related to Ronaldo, Zamorano, Javier Zanetti and the other players who lifted the Uefa Cup against Lazio on that night in 1998. The black and grey Umbro design had a shine to the material which was perfect for a European night under the floodlights.
Inter 1998-1999 Home
The first shirt made by Nike after Inter's departure from Umbro and, you guessed it, it reminds us of a peak Ronaldo. There was a huge change in style compared to Umbro in my opinion, especially in terms of material with the introduction of the mesh panels. I call this jersey "Da Inter" which means "worthy of Inter". By this I mean the colours are perfect, the stripes are good, and I love the collar too... the perfect Inter home shirt.
Inter 2009-2010 Home and Away
I've gone with two shirts from the same season and I guess it's easy to guess why I like these shirts! They simply represent the greatest sporting achievement in the history of Inter. 100 years after they won there first Italian Championship - which is celebrated with a label and a special crest - they achieved a historic treble which no other Italian team have done! Let's talk about the designs which are both "Da Inter" in my opinion.
The home shirt has perfect colours and stripes, and I'm a hige fan of a round neck collar, especially when they're matching the sleeve colour. The Inter badge this season was great with the Scudetto, and Italian flag colours, surrounding the circular club crest. The home jersey this season will be remembered for that night in 2010 when Jose Mourinho's team, under the Santiago Bernabéu floodlights, won the treble with Diego Milito scoring two! What. A. Night.
The away jersey has the same crest and label celebrating 100 years since Inter's first 'Scudetto'. The horizontal black and blue stripes behind the famous Pirelli sponsor and the collar is also simply perfect. We all know the match it's most remebered for, that 1-0 defeat in the Nou Camp that got us through to the Final. That team had so much determination. I don't think Inter fans can say they enjoyed it but we did at the final whistle!
Words by Anthony Deriu