The 2019-20 campaign, Antonio Conte's debut season, delivered a thrilling return to competitiveness for Inter Milan as the Nerazzurri surged to a close second-place finish in Serie A, just a point behind the champions. Spearheading the charge was the powerful Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, whose 23 league goals, part of a club record-equalling 34 goals in his debut season, anchored an efficient side built on the league's best defense and a formidable attacking partnership with Lautaro Martínez. The season, which stretched for 361 dramatic days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also saw the team set a new club record for goals (113) and finish as heartbreaking runners-up in the UEFA Europa League Final against Sevilla. This transitional campaign marked a definitive step forward and laid the crucial tactical and mental foundation for the success that would follow.