Inter legend Beppe Bergomi discussed the Nerazzurri’s season so far, the squad and the ongoing Coronavirus emergency in an interview with Italian journalist Giammarco Menga on Instagram today, with the interview being reported in its entirety on Italian media outlet FcInterNews
“I think we need to finish the league, but in maximum safety and following all the instructions given by the doctors. From a sporting point of view, never before has a certain balance been created at the top, all the more reason to conclude.
“All Serie A clubs have the chance to resume in safety, while other clubs in the smaller leagues are in greater difficulty. We need to take these aspects and all the categories into account, in my opinion, with a view to recovery.”
The 56-year-old Italian spoke about the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where the Nerazzurri won their third World Cup.
“The moment that I remember with the greatest emotion is undoubtedly Zoff’s safe on Oscar’s header in the group stage match with Brazil. That would have been the 3-3 goal, instead Dino saved us with an extraordinary intervention.
“I consider him a true master of life, he was 40 years old, I was only 18, he was a pillar for me and for the whole group. The biggest regret, instead, was the semi-final in 1990 against Argentina, a wound that is still open, we were really a great squad, with a lot of names like Maldini, Baresi, Baggio, Donadoni, we were really a great team and we came from a beautiful path, since we had never lost a game.
“There was a surreal atmosphere in Naples, with the fans on the one hand supporting Italy and on the other not being able to deny their love for Maradona, our opponent. It was really a big regret to go out.”
The former Nerazzurri defender spoke about two former teammates, Lothar Matthaus and Ronaldo.
“Lothar had a winning mentality, to win we certainly needed the mentality of the champions, which he and Breme brought us. He wanted to put himself out there and drag us along, even in difficult times. His mentality was truly unique, he knew how to inspire a truly unique charisma.
“Ronaldo, on the other hand, was a champion. Despite his physical problems he still managed to win a World Cup and as top scorer. Despite the injuries, you could see his undisputed value. In 97-98 he did something unique, an extraordinary season. For quality he was really unique.”
He touched on the rumors that Inter could try to sign Barcelona star Lionel Messi and the reports that Nerazzurri striker Lautaro Martinez may be sold to the Catalan club.
“I think this is purely a dream. I don’t see Messi outside of Barcelona, where he tends to be fine, seeing him elsewhere seems impossible to me. It’s also an incredible economic effort. Inter is growing, but I want to be realistic, I don’t believe it much.
“As far as Lautaro Martinez is concerned, I think he’s the player who’s growing and Inter are taking the best years. I heard about Griezmann, but the age difference is too big in my opinion. I wouldn’t sell Lautaro for an exchange, but if Barça paid the €111 million, the ideal would be Timo Werner.
“He creates superiority, great in insertions, he would create a great tandem with Lukaku. If Lautaro were to remain, I still consider him a potential champion, I have no doubt about that, he’s clearly growing.”
Bergomi then spoke about breakout Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni.
“Bastoni is the typical modern defender. He’s left-footed, has personality and knows how to play football, I’ve known him since he played for Atalanta’s youth team and since the national team U17’s. Like all things, being young, he still has to grow on certain aspects, such as defending on the open field since Inter want to keep a high centre of gravity in their game.
“He has to improve and grow, so far, he has made some mistakes, it’s true, but at the end of the day who doesn’t make mistakes? If you make mistakes, you grow up. He’s this kind of player. He’s 20-years-old, he’s improving a lot and he has to keep it that way.”
He spoke about the comparisons between Nicolo Barella and Nicola Berti.
“I like the comparison, both have temperament and change of pace. Nicola had a speed and timing that Barella doesn’t yet have, but it’s a question of role in my opinion. Barella has better feet, but in terms of physical strength I say Berti, it’s still an interesting comparison.”
Bergomi discussed two players who joined Inter in the January transfer window, former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen and former Manchester United full back Ashley Young.
“Young has proven to be the best buy so far in January. He’s doing the best he can, and he’s doing it well. The only deficit is being right-footed and having to come back from the left, but he’s doing very well for the Nerazzurri.
“Eriksen, on the other hand, finds little room in a 3-5-2 in my opinion. Under this aspect Conte had some difficulties, in order to enhance him we could change the formation to a 3-4-1-2, personally I would keep a 3-man defense anyway.
“I would try to adapt myself to Eriksen, in order to enhance him. I can see him well behind the strikers, he has also sacrificed himself as a mezzala, but that’s not his role, it has been seen, he is not a player who likes to go fight for the ball.
“In England, tactically he was freer, he didn’t have all the tasks required here. He has to adapt to our football, and at the same time Conte has to find the right solution to make him return to his best. Antonio is one of the best coaches, I’m sure he will figure it out.”
Finally, Bergomi spoke about two players who have been linked with Inter, Sandro Tonali and Manuel Locatelli.
“Tonali knows how to cover more roles, he can play as a trequartista like Nainggolan, even if for me the ideal role for him is a mezzala. Locatelli, on the other hand, I know him well. The time at Sassuolo has helped him, starting from his experience at AC Milan which has helped him a lot, he’s a very interesting player.”
