Pisa vs. Inter, a return to the past: memories of our last meeting in 1991

Thirty years since their last meeting, Pisa and Inter will play each other again in Serie A this weekend. Ahead of the Matchday 13 fixture on Sunday 30 November at 15:00 CET, memories inevitably return to their last top-flight encounter at the Arena Garibaldi, on 3 March 1991.

It was a tense, intense match, full of emotion and drama, one that has stayed in the memories of everyone involved, both on the pitch and in the stands.

A NERVOUS BATTLE

That afternoon, Inter arrived in Tuscany in second place, just one point behind Sampdoria, who sat on top thanks to a victory over Pisa and a draw in Bergamo. By the end of the season, Sampdoria would be crowned champions, while the Nerazzurri finished third.

The match quickly turned into a tough challenge. Pisa showed courage, determination, and great intensity from the first whistle, spurred on by a passionate home crowd. In the first half, attempts from Dolcetti and Bosco tested Zenga, who later made a crucial save to stop Chamot as well.

Protests from the home side over certain incidents in the box, combined with the fiery atmosphere, made the game even more tense. Inter struggled to find rhythm: long-range efforts were isolated, Klinsmann and Serena were tightly marked, and Matthäus was forced off late with a recurring calf problem.

BERTI STRIKES

The breakthrough came early in the second half, in the 51st minute. Brehme delivered a corner from the left, the Pisa goalkeeper failed to clear the ball, and Nicola Berti seized the moment. The midfielder rose to meet it with a header, sending the ball into the net and scoring what proved to be the decisive goal.

Trapattoni’s side then managed the remainder of the match with discipline and determination. Pisa kept pressing, forcing a crucial goal-line clearance from Bianchi, while Zenga was alert to Larsen’s late efforts, preserving the precious lead.

MATCH DETAILS

Pisa 0-1 Inter Goal: 51’ Berti

Pisa: Lazzarini, Chamot, Lucarelli, Argentesi, Calori, Bosco, Neri, Simeone, Padovano, Dolcetti, Larsen Substitutes: Simoni, Dianda, Cristallini, Marini Coach: Giannini

Inter: Zenga, Bergomi, Brehme, Stringara, Ferri, Battistini, Bianchi, Berti, Klinsmann, Matthäus (82’ A. Paganin), Serena (63’ Pizzi) Substitutes: Malgioglio, Mandorlini, Baresi Coach: Trapattoni

Referee: Pairetto (Turin)

THE AFTERMATH

The intensity didn’t fade with the final whistle. Local fans voiced their protests as Inter left the pitch, while Giovanni Trapattoni, as composed and clear-headed as ever in the press conference, acknowledged the quality of the hosts: "It’s a win that means a lot. Pisa played a great game and gave us a hard time. These are the kind of victories that really count in a championship."

Concern lingered over Matthäus, struggling with a severe calf strain that would later force him to miss the UEFA Cup quarter-final against Atalanta. Nicola Berti, the match-winner and team heart, spoke with his usual honesty: "It was a valuable victory, earned in a tough match. We suffered, but we showed character."

That day, Inter secured two crucial points in a tough away fixture, marked by tension, disputed moments, and pure sporting battle. It was a match that highlighted heart, unity, and the ability to strike at the right moment.

On Sunday 30 November, the two sides will meet again at the same stadium, in a different era with different football, but with the same enduring appeal.