Former Inter striker Roberto Boninsegna has shared his belief that there are a number of clubs in addition to Inter in contention to win the Serie A title this season.
“The league is open to many solutions. In addition to AC Milan, Inter and Juventus, I also see Napoli and Roma because they are still there. It’s a good season,” he explained in an interview with Italian news outlet PassioneInter.com.
Boninsegna proceeded to review Inter’s performance in their 3-1 win away to Cagliari this past weekend, in which they came from behind to win.
“Inter risked a lot, Cagliari played well. With 13-14 minutes to go from the end the Rossoblù were ahead, only to collapse. If they collapsed, however, the credit goes to Inter who, despite the difficulties, knew how to believe in themselves to the end and bring home a fundamental victory.”
Boninsegna then sahred his belief that Inter’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League and European football as a whole could be an advantage for Inter in the Serie A title race.
“Well let’s say that it can be an advantage up to a certain point, because I would never be able to see it from a positive perspective or as an advantage to be eliminated from the Champions League.
“Against Shakhtar Donetsk in my opinion there was an error of judgement by the coach. At 0-0, knowing they were eliminated with that result, Conte could have played the last 15-20 minutes with Sanchez, Lautaro Martinez and Lukaku at the same time he should have done this because if they had lost then the end result was the same.
“I saw Lautaro reluctantly go off. In my opinion it would have been right to keep him on. There was a risk of losing it, but also winning it.”
PassioneInter.com then questioned Boninsegna on the criticism that Inter manager Antonio Conte has been subjected to following Inter’s elimination from Europe.
“You know, we are talking about a team like Inter that were eliminated from the Champions League, even finishing fourth in the group, thus being excluded from the Europa League as well. It could not have been worse than that.
“Of course the fans and the newspapers find themselves unable to speak well of the situation. I think it’s normal for Conte to be criticized.”
Next Boninsegna shared where he would look to strengthen the Inter squad in the upcoming January transfer window.
“I think the squad is deep and excellent. Even if it remains so, they will compete for the title with Juventus. Wanting to nitpick, perhaps Inter is missing a player in front of the defence. We have good midfielders, but when coming up against a team with a good attacking midfielder, for example Dybala, we don’t know how to mark him.”
Next he was asked about Romelu Lukaku and whether or not he would include him amongst the best strikers in history alongside himself and others.
“Of course, he was a huge purchase. I was very sorry when Icardi left because Mauro did very well in Milan but Romelu is doing exceptional things and is definitely making people forget Icardi.”
Boninsegna proceeded to express his views on Inter attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen, who has struggled to perform to expectations during his 11 month spell with Inter.
“Inter have focused on him, but then in my opinion Eriksen was treated badly. He behaved like a professional, he was serious and was accepting of all the decisions of the coach. I didn’t know him much, he didn’t play much here and I think the club put him up for sale.”
In conclusion he was asked whether there is a player in modern football that he sees himself in: “I don’t see many attackers with my characteristics. I would say Lukaku, he scores as much as I did, he gives a point of reference to the team and guarantees depth. We are almost the same in terms of characteristics.”
