GUESS THE TEAM - 21 years ago, Inter 3 - 0 Sampdoria

MILAN - 21 years ago today. Inter faced Sampdoria at San Siro on 15 November 1998 in what was a vital match at the end of a difficult period for Luigi Simoni’s side. Three goals on a day to forget, then three goals to get back to winning ways. The afternoon’s win was secured with goals from Djorkaeff and Zamorano, San Siro was overjoyed in the face of Roberto Baggio’s masterful performance, with result slightly marred by the injury to Ventola.

These were the Nerazzurri players that took to the pitch that Sunday, the answers to the quiz launched on the Instagram Stories of our official profile. It was an Inter side set up in trademark Gigi Simoni style: Bergomi in defence alongside the two rugged defenders Colonnese and West, Javier Zanetti in front (often pushed out left), Winter, Cauet and Simeone in midfield, then Djorkaeff, the man who had just won the World Cup with France, just in behind the two front men: Ventola and Zamorano.

Two perfect and identical penalties from Youri Djorkaeff in the first half to beat the Sampdoria goalkeeper Ferron, despite some superb saves up against Winter and Zamorano to keep the scoreline from rising. An autumn sun painted the setting of a difficult match for Sampdoria, and while they threatened through Ortega and Laigle, they could never quite establish a hold on the game.

Ivan Zamorano then made it 3-0 in the second half: he had been wearing the 1+8 shirt for a few months and certainly hadn’t lost his explosive heading ability. His goal was spectacular and came from a free kick taken by the ever-present Djorkaeff. In an Inter side plagued by injuries, with Ronaldo unavailable and Ventola substituted at the end of the first half, it was an inspired Roberto Baggio who took his place. The ‘Divine Ponytail’ was full of flicks, backheels and wonderful bits of play, all of which really brought San Siro to life.

INTER 3-0 SAMPDORIA

INTER: Pagliuca; Colonnese, Bergomi, West; Winter (56' Dabo), Simeone, Cauet (75' Silvestre), J. Zanetti; Djorkaeff; Ventola (46' R. Baggio), Zamorano.Coach: Luigi Simoni.

SAMPDORIA: Ferron (89' Ambrosio); Balleri, Franceschetti (72' Caté), Sakic, Grandoni; Castellini, Pecchia, Laigle (72' Vergassola), Ficini; Palmieri, Ortega.Coach: Luciano Spalletti.

Scorers: 6' pen. and 17' pen. Djorkaeff, 79' Zamorano.