The 2001–02 season was a dramatic and ultimately heart-wrenching campaign for Inter Milan. After a disappointing previous season, club president Massimo Moratti appointed Héctor Cúper, renowned for his success with Valencia, as the new head coach. Cúper sought to rebuild the team and brought in several important players, including goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, defender Marco Materazzi, and strikers Mohamed Kallon and Nicola Ventola. The season began promisingly, with Inter leading the Serie A table early on and performing well in the UEFA Cup.
However, as the season progressed, the team began to struggle with fatigue and inconsistency. A 1–2 home defeat to Atalanta marked the beginning of their struggles in the second half of the campaign. Their European aspirations were also dashed with elimination in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup. Off the field, the club faced a somber moment with the death of Giuseppe Prisco, who had served as Inter’s vice-chairman since 1962.
The season came down to the final matchday, with Inter still in a strong position to win their first Serie A title since 1989. Facing Lazio in Rome, Inter needed a victory to secure the Scudetto. Despite taking the lead twice in the first half, the match ended in heartbreak, as Lazio equalized both times through Karel Poborský and then scored two more in the second half to secure a 4–2 victory. With Juventus and Roma both winning their matches, Inter slipped to third place in the standings, narrowly missing out on the title. The match also marked Ronaldo’s final appearance for Inter, as the Brazilian superstar departed for Real Madrid in the summer.
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