Longing for redemption after a 5–years title absence, Inter bet on Giovanni Trapattoni, winner of 6 Scudetti sitting on Juventus' bench.[1] 1986 summer also brought in Milan players such as Daniel Passarella and Gianfranco Matteoli.[1] Autumnal results presented Inter like a competitive team,[2][3] at least Rummenigge had to give up due to injuries.[4] Trapattoni had already reach UEFA Cup's quarter-finals[5] where he met Goteborg drawing (without goals) the first leg.[6] It forced Inter to win the second but, after gaining the 1–0 with an own goal, team took the equalizer: away goals rule caused Swedish's victory.[7] Season ended with a third place, behind Napoli and coach's former club.[8]
Source: 1986–87 Serie A, RSSSF.com Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Draw. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[9] (C) Champions Notes:
^Suspended on 10 December due to fog 77', with score 1-0 (goal of Rummenigge at 56'), cfr. Gianni Brera (11 December 1986), "Dopo Rummenigge arriva la nebbia", la Repubblica, p. 19
^Almanacco Illustrato del Calcio 1988 (in Italian). Modena: Panini Group. 1987.