The former Swiss deputy, and former player of Inter, Udinese and Genoa among others, Antonio Manicone spoke to Sportitalia about the Nerazzurri’s recent victory in the Champions League and the Scudetto fight.
Are you seeing the same team as in previous years at this start of the season, or more vulnerable in certain aspects?
“I’m seeing the same growth process that I had seen in previous years. It’s a team that is building something to get to the end of the season by winning some titles. At the moment they are building the foundations, the season is long and it will be tough. Inzaghi knows very well that he needs all the players and is managing both the squad and his strength very well, despite the difficulties and injuries.”
Today, making a turnover is no longer so much a choice, in fact yesterday Inter changed 7 starters against Young Boys.
“Inter, like the other big names, knows that to have a high-level season you have to have 22-24 players of almost the same level, even if it is normal for 2-3 to emerge. Once one plays, once the other Inzaghi rotates them, the players know that they will all play and they feel involved.”
There has been a lot of talk about the Young Boys synthetic pitch, which you know well given that you worked for the Swiss national team for many years. How much does it affect?
“Very much. When I worked for Switzerland I saw Juve lose on that pitch, I knew very well what kind of difficulty it could have created for Inter yesterday too. Playing on a synthetic surface, which gets wet at the start of the match, is completely different. Then they are get used to it, you’re not. So it was an important victory for Inter, as a great team.”
Ballon d’Or: What chances does Lautaro have?
“If you look at what Lautaro won, he has everything in order, he is one of the candidates.”
Does performance in the Champions League weigh on Vinicius?
“Yes, he made the difference in the Champions League, Vinicius is another fantastic player, even if he didn’t win what Lautaro won in the national team for example.”
Can Napoli go all the way in the Scudetto fight?
“Napoli don’t have cups and have a coach who is used to fighting to win, so I think they will fight for the Scudetto until the end. Then there’s Juve who has spent and changed a lot, I don’t forget Milan and Atalanta, Gasperini I like it a lot. This championship will be long and balanced. We hope to see Inter win both in Italy and in Europe.”