From the outset, the Nerazzurri were the Rossoneri's upstart little brother. Set up by a group of dissidents from the older team they immediately enjoyed success. Within two years of their foundation they had pocketed their first League title - exactly mirroring their fraternal foes. It was the beginning of a soccer sibling rivalry which drove each team to bigger and better things.

That first Scudetto side was dominated by Swiss players. More than half of the squad came from across the border and the team became famous for its more northern European approach to the game. Fast forward about a century or so and it is not so hard to understand why the club has no qualms about forming a side entirely from overseas stars nowadays.

And, like some of Inter's more recent triumphs and disasters, that 1910 League crown did not come without some controversy. The Milanese club found itself tied on points with Pro Vercelli after 16 games and a play-off ensued. However, failure to agree on a date for the game to be played saw the provincial club send its youth team to the match. The records show that Inter won their first honour courtesy of a rather ridiculous 10-3 victory over their closest rivals.

However unusual the circumstances, that initial success announced the arrival of the Interisti as a major force in the Italian game. It was a role they would never forsake and they have remained in the nation's top Division for the rest of their history. Along the way they gathered enough silverware to make them one of the most famous names on the footballing planet.

By strange coincidence, the Gods of the game dictated that the initial successes of this giant in the making would always come at the start of a decade. After that win in 1910, Scudetti were to follow in 1920, 1930 and 1940, with only their 1938 victory breaking that rule. It was to take until 1950 before the Nerazzurri relinquished this curious 10-year cycle of domination.

It was in this period between the two World Wars that the club released Italian football's first genuine superstar on the game. History books recount that Giuseppe Meazza was given a trial with Milan, but they discarded him as being too lightweight to make the grade. A few good meals later, however, and they had gifted their bitter rivals the finest player of his generation.

He struck 240 League goals for Inter, won a couple of Scudetti, a Coppa Italia and a pair of World Cups. He also finished as Serie A's top scorer on three separate occasions. As football was starting to become a national phenomenon in Italy for the first time, he was its major celebrity. Little wonder the stadium where the Nerazzurri play still carries his name.

In that Fascist era, of course, his achievements were hijacked by the regime. However, it went one step further with the club itself. The name Internazionale was seen to have socialist overtones and so a conversion was deemed to be in order. Scour through the scrapbooks of Serie A and you will see that, from 1928 onwards, the club was given the more 'Italian' name Ambrosiana after the patron saint of Milan, St Ambrogio. It was not until 1945 that the previous title returned.

Although Inter missed out on their traditional appointment with the League title in 1950, it did not take long for them to get back to winning ways. Under Coach Alfredo Foni they are widely recognised as the first team to use a Catenaccio system to take the Scudetto. Conceding a measly 24 goals in the 1952-53 campaign, they edged out Juventus to win the crown. Then, for the first time in their history, they retained the Scudetto the following year.

Not everyone approved of the tactics, but they made Inter an appetising prospect for big businessmen. In 1955, petrol magnate Angelo Moratti took over the club. Success did not come his way immediately, but at least he did not have to wait quite as long as his son would a few decades later. The groundwork was being carried out for the greatest Inter side in history.

In a true Golden Age between 1962 and 1966, the Nerazzurri gathered three Scudetti, two European Cups and two Club World Cups. Their fans also enjoyed the skills of Sandro Mazzola, Giacinto Facchetti, Luis Suarez and the likes. It is hardly surprising that supporters still get more than a little misty-eyed at the very mention of the side which Moratti funded and Helenio Herrera coached to victory. By the end of that spell there was a gold star added to the blue and black shirts to indicate 10 League titles overall.

That team's glory days were probably brought to an end by Celtic in the European Cup Final of 1967. Although some survivors did go on to win another Scudetto in 1971, most of the magic had gone. Having been the toast of European and world football, it was hard to get used to battling for mere domestic honours once again.

For much of the modern era, Inter have been seen as very much the third force of Italian football's triumvirate of top teams. Juventus were often dominant on the domestic scene while Milan were busy gathering silverware across Europe. And yet, by any other standards, the Nerazzurri were still a hugely successful side.

They resumed their love affair with the start of a new decade in 1980 when another Scudetto came along. Then in 1989, under Giovanni Trapattoni's guidance and with the German influence of Andy Brehme and Lothar Matthaus, they won the League and dropped just 10 points along the way. It should have been the start of another era of dominance but, while there were three UEFA Cup wins in the 1990s, the much sought after Scudetto or Champions League honour proved highly elusive.

It was that barely-disguised anguish and disappointment which characterised the club for most of the years to come. Try as they might, and spend as they did, they were unable to recapture the glory of times gone by. It almost became a standing joke how desperate Inter were becoming to end a Scudetto drought which lasted some 17 years. It was the longest time in the club's history without that ultimate prize.

Yet throughout recent memory they have always been at the heart of the action in Serie A. Rarely out of the top four or five sides, they gave the League some fine players to enjoy - the likes of Walter Zenga, Ronaldo, Giuseppe Bergomi and Javier Zanetti spring to mind. And they always fought with a legendary 'grinta' - determination - both on the domestic and international front.

When a Scudetto eventually came, of course, it was in the strangest circumstances. The Calciopoli scandal saw Juve stripped of two League titles, one of which - 2005-06 - was awarded to Inter. The celebrations took place in style, but with a strange time-delay. Plenty of people were prepared to pour scorn on that 14th Scudetto but, in truth, if Juventus were benefiting from a League set up to systematically favour them, then Inter were the only credible winners. Indeed, many Nerazzurro fans understandably felt that one crown was not enough compensation for the damage they had suffered.

The 15th League honour came just a year later and in more traditional fashion. With a range of penalties imposed on some of Italy's top sides, Inter swept all before them to cruise to the top in style. While some might debate how they found themselves in such a position of dominance, few could deny they were the best side in the country by some considerable distance.

Suddenly, the days of Inter as glorious failures seem long gone. Once again, just as they were in that legendary spell in the 1960s, the black and blue colours are flying high both at home and abroad. An unprecedented third League title in a row looks highly probably to celebrate 100 years in style. And then, perhaps, a Champions League trophy - the first in more than 40 years - might just be in order should they mount a Liverpool comeback. It would ensure the team they call the 'Beneamata' - the well-loved - remains close to the hearts of its fans for years to come.

"At times one needs more confirmation, especially when going through a difficult period. I did not suffer trauma from this and neither did the team."

As for the Figo reports, these came about after the Portuguese legend refused to come on against Liverpool as a substitute when they were already 3-0 down on aggregate and Mancini effectively confirmed they were true.

"I was a player for 20 years, so I know someone can not like a Coach because he doesn't let him play or always substitutes him, but I have never seen anyone pull back at the moment when fighting spirit is needed, especially out of respect for their teammates and the club. In any case, I am not vindictive and only look to the good of the collective. I won't ask for a fine.

"I reacted perfectly well and nothing has changed for me. This is not a temporary truce until the end of the season until we decide to change. That is not the case."

This could turn out to be a decisive week in Inter's campaign, as they are out of Europe and Roma threaten to whittle down the six-point gap even more. Both sides face tough opponents, as the Giallorossi welcome Milan this evening and Palermo visit San Siro.

"We have to get back to winning ways because this is the only method to bring the Scudetto home. If we put the same concentration into the Palermo game as we did against Liverpool, we will do it.

"The squad is slowly getting its full fitness and form, including important players who had not been able to train. Cristian Chivu is available, Maxwell will be from Wednesday."

Inter squad: 1 Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Orlandoni; 4 Zanetti, 13 Maicon, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 24 Rivas, 26 Chivu; 5 Stankovic, 7 Figo, 11 Jimenez, 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 21 Solari, 30 Pelè; 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz, 18 Crespo, 29 Suazo, 45 Balotelli.

Does Stankovic need to play more at the moment, or rest between one match and another?
"He went away with his national team and he didn't know if he would play or not because he had to see how he had recovered after Inter-Juventus. If he played 75 minutes, it means he felt up to it. It's very important to win tomorrow, and after that we will have whole weeks to rest or recover players who aren't in top physical condition."

Without Esteban Cambiasso, are we likely to see Stankovic playing in front of the defence like he did against Juventus, or are you thinking of playing Javier Zanetti, who you have already tried out in this role?
"Dejan can cover every role in midfield. His problems this year have been due to the too many injuries, without ever understanding what he had. This is why he has continuously stopped and started, and this has affected him a lot. He's recovering well now. However, both Stankovic and Zanetti can play in front of the defence. They have different characteristics, but they are two very important players for us at the moment."

Against Juventus we saw the Maniche we were all expecting to see. Do you agree?
"Apart from the goal and the post he hit, he came on against Juventus and did well. He's doing better and he's calmer and fresher than the others. He can be an important player for us in these last eight matches."

The Bergamo Nerazzurri made a bright start to the second half but Del Neri's men paid for their imprecision.

Mancini brought on Cruz for Crespo and El Jardinero - two goals short of a double century for Italian clubs - squandered a chance to kill off the game when he shot wide after Balotelli's perfectly-timed pass.

The youngster did better in the 74th minute, sliding into an open goal after taking Stankovic's hooked through pass into the box and rounding Coppola.

Atalanta continued to attack after falling two behind but never seriously threatened Julio Cesar's goal.

They finished the match with ten men after Doni was red-carded for a second yellow.

Atalanta 0-2 Inter (HT: 0-1)

Scorers: Vieira 21, Balotelli 74.

Atalanta: 30 Coppola; 3 Belleri, 5 Manfredini, 26 Pellegrino, 6 Bellini; 79 Ferreira Pinto, 21 Tissone (15 De Ascentis 67), 17 Guarente, 23 Langella (10 Inzaghi 73); 72 Doni; 33 Floccari (9 Paolucci 80).
Subs not used: 1 Forsyth, 22 Padoin, 27 Capelli, 32 Fissore.
Coach: Luigi Del Neri.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 24 Rivas (23 Materazzi 63), 16 Burdisso, 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic; 18 Crespo (9 Cruz 57), 45 Balotelli (7 Figo 83).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 11 Jimenez, 28 Maniche, 30 Pelé.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: Andrea De Marco (Chiavari).

Booked: Balotelli 60, Tissone 65, Maicon 68, Doni 86.
Sent off: Doni 90+1.