Former Udinese manager Pasquale Marino has shared his delight at seeing three of his former prodigies in Alexis Sanchez, Kwadwo Asamoah and Samir Handanovic currently on the books of Inter.
“Football is everything to Alexis. When he doesn’t play, he is upset. I remember resting him due to him having fatigue but he still came up to me and asked if he could play for at least five minutes. He becomes mad when he does not have the ball at his feet,” Marino said in an interview with FCInterNews.it.
“I’m biased, but I’m really happy that a player like him is back in Serie A. His arrival raises the level of the whole Italian football movement.
“Alexis arrived in Udine at a very young age, but he was already in the Chilean national team. His talent was evident. He has incredible qualities then and having had a career at some of the biggest European clubs proves that. Things like that do not happen by chance.
“For Conte’s 3-5-2 him and Lukaku are the perfect pair. Sanchez can also play out wide as part of an attacking trident. They will form a partnership of the highest level.”
Marino also spoke on Kwadwo Asamoah, another player currently at Inter who’s career he launched at the Bianconeri.
“He had extraordinary qualities for only being 19-years-old. He had great athletic ability and tactical intelligence. In the beginning he was a great midfielder but in recent years he has become specialised in a role that is not his natural one.”
Marino also spoke on current Inter captain Samir Handanovic, who was also part of that Udinese side alongside Sanchez and Asamoah.
“Samir is an exceptional professional. He was always the first to arrive at the camp, he is the last to leave after each training session. He is a reference point for the group, the classic positive example for everyone to follow, so I am not surprised he is the captain of Inter.
“He is a silent leader, but one of the fundamental ones inside a locker room. Him being at Inter will help out Sanchez since they are friends and already played with each other from being together in Udine.”
Marino concluded by talking about Inter’s title credentials.
“Juve remains the strongest team but Inter have narrowed the gap a lot and can compete for the title. It will be a good fight.”