Former Inter goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca discussed the restart of the Serie A and the ongoing Coronavirus emergency in an interview with Italian media outlet Calcionews24.com today.
“In my opinion it doesn’t make sense to restart the league again, even if there are obviously economic and various interests at stake. Putting the health of professionals at risk to finish a season that is already compromised.
“We might as well end here and resume in September normally, concentrating on the next season and doing well at the European Championships.”
He then highlighted what he would do for next season in order to maintain regularity in the league.
“Of course, I’d avoid relegating any teams and I’d have a 22-team Serie A next year. It wouldn’t be right to penalize Benevento so much, the club who in my opinion would be penalized the most i this situation, since the second placed team is 20 points behind them.”
The 53-year-old Italian then spoke about the gap that still exists between Juventus and Inter.
“The Nerazzurri have the potential to win, but the Italian champions are far ahead. When they played against them this year, in the first half Inter managed to hurt them, but in the second half Juve came out and they went 2-0 up.
“In one-off matches like that the Bianconeri have much more experience, not only more than Inter but more than any other Italian team.”
He also discussed the impact of coach Antonio Conte at Inter and how he has chosen his squad.
“Conte had a great impact, he came in strong and decisive as a great coach must do. I would have kept Nainggolan, he’s one of those players that I would always put on the pitch, but regarding players like Perisic and Icardi who all left, I agree with him. He didn’t want them and he was right, bringing in champions like Lukaku and other players who have done great things.”
Pagliuca highlighted how important Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez is to the Nerazzurri.
“If Inter want to win and try to have a season where they beat Juventus or Lazio for the title, Lautaro will be a decisive player and must stay. They can cash in and take another strong player like him, but it’s always a risk.”
Finally, Pagliuca spoke about the impression that Lautaro made on him this season.
“When I saw him here in Bologna, he made a big impression on me, small but strong. If an offer that can’t be renounced arrives you can also consider it, but you have to think about it not once, but many times.”
Lautaro, who is contracted to the Nerazzurri until 2023, has made 31 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 2437 minutes.
In that time, he has scored 16 goals and provided four assists, forming a formidable partnership with Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku and attracting the interest of both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
