Former Inter president and club owner Massimo Moratti has expressed his thoughts on three sides expected to be in running to win the Serie A title until the very end in Napoli, Inter and current reigning Serie A champions Juventus.
“Napoli seems to me to have been going so well for a few years that it was predictable that they would be at the top with a very good coach,” he explained in an interview with Italian radio station Radio Punto Nuovo, earlier on today.
“Inter also have high hopes and there is talk of the Scudetto because Juventus have done less than what we expected them to so far.”
Next Moratti spoke on whether there should be trust in Conte and admitted that he regretted the sacking of Luigi ‘Gigi’ Simoni.
“Trust in Conte? I changed many coaches too. I regretted having sacked Simoni, for example. I had a lot of trouble changing coaches constantly.”
Moratti, who owned Inter for very near 20 years, then went on to speak about the Inter fans and the difference between the Nerazzurri’s fans and those of city rivals AC Milan.
“Inter are playing without fans and they wouldn’t have lived moments like this if they had been in the Champions League.
“Difference between the AC Milan and Inter fans? Milan’s fans are more patient. Inter fans are very demanding, you are always under pressure.
“You have to know how to take care of this fiery crowd. Every Inter fan feels that they are the master of Inter.”
Next he revealed a player who former Inter sporting director Marco Branco was interested in signing from Napoli several years ago: “Branca always aimed very high, he had suggested we signed Cavani to put him with Eto’o and Milito.”
Moratti then sang the praises of the man currently at the helm of Inter, club president Steven Zhang.
“Zhang? Inter are lucky to have him because he can potentially hold the club up in easy and difficult moments. Zhang is a good guy, we talk to each other sometimes.
“He is very kind and nice. He tells me that he cares a lot about Inter, he wants to hold on to Conte and doesn’t want to throw him away.”
Next Moratti expressed his views on Inter manager Antonio Conte and Conte’s attacks on the club in the media and how he compares to treble winning manager Jose Mourinho.
“Conte has his qualities and wants to insist on winning something between the league and the Italian Cup. The attacks on the club by Conte? That was something quite new. Mourinho was tough, but close to the club.”
He was asked about the future of San Siro and whether or not it should be knocked down as part of Inter and AC Milan’s grand new stadium plans.
“I don’t agree to knock it down, given the dubious situation around us, it seems to me a considerable risk.”
He concluded by being asked who he would want to win the Scudetto if Inter do not: “It is better if Napoli wins.”
