Inter midfielder Petar Sucic is dreaming of a city painted black and blue this weekend as the Nerazzurri prepare to celebrate their Serie A title triumph in style.
After securing a stunning domestic double in manager Cristian Chivu's debut season—following Wednesday's Coppa Italia victory over Lazio—Inter now have one final piece of business to take care of. On Sunday, they host already-relegated Hellas Verona at the San Siro, before the main event begins: the Scudetto trophy presentation and a grand open-top bus parade through the streets of Milan.
The champions will make their way from the stadium to Piazza del Duomo, where the team will appear on a terrace to greet thousands of fans expected to line the route. It promises to be a sea of black and blue, and Sucic can't wait to see it.
"I will take this opportunity to send a message to fans," the Croatian midfielder said after lifting the Coppa Italia. "Amazing numbers in the stadiums and in the city. We need all people in Milan to be Nerazzurri. I saw how important it is for the people in Milan and the fans. They stay with us and support us. I am glad to play with this amazing club. It's a special feeling, in my first year here. I am so happy."
Sucic, who joined from Dinamo Zagreb last summer, credits Chivu for creating a winning environment. "We started the new season. The coach helps us a lot. You can talk about private life with him, he is a good person. We came from a difficult season, but when the new campaign started, there were new trophies at stake. We won two, and next season we'll aim for more."
Chivu himself remained humble about the achievement, which has seen Inter open up a 15-point lead over second-placed Napoli with five wins in their last six league games. "We won the league and the Coppa Italia, it is never to be taken for granted, so we are very happy," he told Sport Mediaset.
For Verona, Sunday marks the end of a difficult campaign. Already relegated, they have won just one of their last 21 matches, losing 15 in that stretch. But club president Christian Puscasiu is already looking ahead. "We are equally disappointed with the results of this season. Ultimately, as ownership, we are responsible for those results," he said.
For Inter fans, though, Sunday is all about celebration—and turning Milan black and blue.
