Italian journalist Massimo De Luca discussed Inter’s current position after the first half of the season and their squad in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster Radio Sportiva yesterday afternoon.

“They’re definitely solid and cynical. Hakimi has impressed me, an impregnable fighter on the wing, an extraordinary weapon that reminds me of Roberto Carlos for his running.

“And then Lautaro Martinez, who has been a bit disappointing so far, is coming back. Not having the Champions League can help in the Scudetto race.”

Inter are currently second in the league table after 14 games, sitting on 33 points, one behind intercity rivals and league leaders AC Milan.

The Nerazzurri, under the guidance of coach Antonio Conte, have won their last seven Serie A outings, showing an improvement after their sluggish start and painful elimination from the Champions League.

Their next game is against newly promoted Crotone on the 3rd January, a must win game as they cannot afford to give the Rossoneri a chance to extend their lead at the top.

22-year-old Moroccan wing back Achraf Hakimi, who is contracted to the Milanese club until 2025, has made 19 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 1152 minutes. In that time, he has scored four goals and provided five assists.