Inter’s Serie A match at Fiorentina tonight could mark a turning point in the Nerazzurri’s season, according to their former striker Giampaolo Pazzini.
Antonio Conte’s side currently lie second in the standings and have already beaten Fiorentina twice this season, once in the league and once in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia three weeks ago.
Pazzini, who played for Inter between January 2011 and August 2012, is convinced the game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi will prove pivotal for both teams.
“I am convinced that this time Fiorentina-Inter can be a watershed moment,” the former Italy international explained in an interview with Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
“This will especially be the case for Inter, who will have to deal with a difficult schedule this month.
“They cannot drop any more points.
“As for Fiorentina, I expect to see the right performance from them in order to definitively get out of the danger zone in the table.”
The former Hellas Verona forward was then asked if Inter are too reliant on prolific forward Romelu Lukaku, who has scored a highly impressive 20 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions to date this term.
“Any team would be,” he argued.
“Lukaku is a player who makes the difference in Serie A and when he is missing, Inter feel it.
“He is one of the most complete strikers around.”
During his brief stint with Inter, Pazzini, who retired last year, made 60 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored 19 goals and provided seven assists for his teammates.
He also spent five years playing for the Viola, scoring 33 goals in 136 matches.