Italian journalist Matteo Marani discussed the title race between Inter and Juventus this season in an editorial in yesterday’s paper edition of the Turin based newspaper Tuttosport.
“Leaving aside the vulgar social fights, the Scudetto race between Juve and Inter is a small blessing for Italian football, which in these two clubs has the highest turnover, the largest fan following and a central piece in the history of Serie A.
“For almost 10 years, since Antonio Conte started the cycle on the other side of the river, we had not seen, at the start, such an open and long-awaited season. The Derby d’Italia will be the plot of this season.”
The Nerazzurri have worked hard in the off season to strengthen the squad, signing experienced winners like Aleksandar Kolarov and Arturo Vidal to help reinforce coach Antonio Conte’s squad.
The 51-year-old Italian’s position as head coach was confirmed in a meeting after the end of last season with the Nerazzurri’s management, with the club soon changing their transfer policy to match the Lecce born coach’s demands.
“Inter strengthened the squad with Hakimi and Kolarov, but also with the underestimated signing of Sanchez and a fourth striker that was missing.
“With the arrivals of Vidal and the dream of Kantè, the team can climb the last step. Conte’s team is not far from Juve.”
The Italian journalist commented on how Inter were incredibly close to beating out the Bianconeri for the league title last season.
The Nerazzurri finished second in the league table, one point behind the Turin based club.
“They finished the season with the best defense, an element that often determines the Scudetto, and second-best attack, behind only Atalanta. The Nerazzurri’s goal difference was 12 higher than the Bianconeri’s.
“These are title winning numbers. In the first meeting Inter were two points behind, in the return meeting they ended with one more point than Juve, just sixth in the post lockdown.”
Inter’s season opener is against Fiorentina next weekend in Milan. The Florence based club won their first game of the season yesterday against Torino.
