Legendary Inter defender Marco Materazzi has shared his belief that Inter are now performing better on the field now that they are not having a significant amount of possession.
“It cannot be said that it is a brilliant Inter but I will be old-fashioned when I see the exasperation of starting the build-up from the goalkeeper, who must necessarily be Beckenbauer, I go crazy,” he explained in an interview with Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, which appeared in today’s print edition.
“Now Inter are putting their opponents in more difficulty than they did when they had 70% possession of the ball. Also because if you have Lebron James transferred to a football field, it is right to use him for his characteristics.”
Next the 2006 World Cup winner was asked whether or not this Inter side is too physical.
“If you exclude Spain, in all leagues physicality makes the difference. If you have Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni behind you, you don’t have low ball possession, it is a strong backbone, you build a team around them.”
He was then asked if it is possible for a more brilliant Inter to be seen following his comment earlier on in the interview.
“With Sensi and Brozovic probably yes, if you play with Vidal, Barella and Nainggolan you have more numbers in the midfield, but without sacrificing quality.”
Next Materazzi was asked how Inter can stop being so panicky and nervous in the final 15 minutes of games, like they were against Napoli on Wednesday.
“With quality, but you also get it from the coach, who makes changes not by force but who doesn’t put on a striker to put on Hakimi like he did against Napoli.
“He needs a striker. However you need to have a striker on the bench and on Sunday Sanchez won’t be there. Eriksen needs to come on and play how he did when he came on against Shakhtar but hasn’t always done that.”
He was then asked about Christian Eriksen and his nightmare 11 month spell with Inter following a move to the club from Tottenham Hotspur last January.
“I’ve always thought about two things. The first is if you have qualities in England, you have to show them in Italy too.
“The second is transfers in January are always unknown and in January I think it will move again, even if it depends on the opportunities and the club’s plans.”
He was than asked if he thinks Antonio Conte really does have a plan B or not.
“Above all in Europe, the back four is the best solution but Inter are already out but, I insist, the quality remainsm much, much more than the others. Changing the system, at least from time to time, can help.”
In conclusion he was asked about Conte’s reaction to the idea that Inter are obliged to win the Serie A title this season after their Champions League elimination and he responded: “Actually for me it was obliged even before that.”
