SNAPSHOTS | Inter vs. Torino, 1970: Boninsegna bags brace as Invernizzi claims first win as Inter boss

MILAN – In our weekly “SNAPSHOTS” column, we use photos to look back at historic moments from Inter’s past with the Nerazzurri’s next fixture in mind. This week, with the 90th meeting between Inter and Torino in Milan coming up on Sunday, we’re heading back 50 years to 15 November 1970.

That day saw Inter face Torino at San Siro after the Nerazzurri had endured a difficult start to the season. After the defeat in the Derby, President Fraizzoli had relieved Heriberto Herrera of his duties and promoted Giovanni Invernizzi, who had been charge of the Nerazzurri’s Primavera side, to first-team duties.

Inter vs. Torino was Invernizzi’s first match in the Inter dugout, with the Italian coach having been tasked with turning the Nerazzurri’s season around. Inter had a mix of new faces (like Boninsegna) and youngsters, in addition to several players who had previously led the Club to glory: Burgnich, Facchetti, Jair, Mazzola, Corso.

The Nerazzurri still needed to find their feet, and major changes were still to be made. But first of all, Invernizzi needed to get things moving in the right direction with a confidence-boosting win that would reignite hope that the Scudetto title was still attainable given that a lot of games were still to be played. Against Torino, Boninsegna made the difference. First, he sent Granata goalkeeper Castellini the wrong way from the penalty spot after a handball by Agroppi in the box.

Then, Boninsegna, who had just turned 27 and was in his second season at the Club, scored his and Inter’s second with a wonderful header from Corso’s free kick. “Look at Corso’s ball in, he placed it right on my head,” said Bonimba years later when looking back at it.

That afternoon, it finished Inter 2-0 Torino. It wasn’t a sparkling display, but a spark was undoubtedly there. The following week, the Nerazzurri fell to defeat against Napoli. But from that point on, Invernizzi’s Inter were a force to be reckoned with: step by step, they recovered lost ground, and they kept going until they secured the Club’s eleventh league title.