Inter have everything they need to win multiple trophies under Antonio Conte, according to the Nerazzurri’s former sporting director Marco Branca.
Conte’s side are currently top of the Serie A table heading into this weekend’s pivotal Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan, who sit one point behind in second.
Branca is confident the floodgates could open for Inter if they can just get their hands on that illusive first trophy since 2011.
“The club did its best to give the best to the coach after the stop in August and now, without European football, the squad is deep,” he explained in an interview with Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Let’s say that Inter are equipped to win, but AC Milan are not up there by chance, they have a style of play and quality.
“Finally Milanese football is back on top, after the difficulties in replacing Massimo Moratti and Silvio Berlusconi.”
Branca was then asked if any of the current Inter players remind him of players in Inter’s historic treble-winning side which he played a part in constructing.
“Don’t get me in trouble,” he joked.
“The players are touchy, they wouldn’t forgive me… but from the beginning I said that Romelu Lukaku is decisive in this team.
“Maybe he has to improve against the big teams, it’s a matter of details, but he has everything to make a difference.
“In general, I think this group just needs to win a trophy to develop the belief needed to open a cycle.
“It’s certainly not a technical problem.”
Branca proceeded to sing the praises of Inter and Italian national team midfielder Nicolo Barella, who is having a fantastic season.
“Barella is a giant, despite not having a super physique,” he added.
“He has mental strength and has improved in terms of personality.
“Barella is among the top midfielders in Europe because he knows how to do everything well.
“Alessandro Bastoni is also playing at excellent levels.”
Branca, who worked at Inter between 2002 and 2014, then shared his thoughts on the revitalised Christian Eriksen, who has finally started to perform after a difficult first year with the club.
“Sometimes the character affects things as much as technique.
“The Dane obviously had to regain confidence in himself, he just needed a spark.
“Maybe it came with the free-kick against AC Milan in the Coppa Italia.”
In conclusion Branca, who spent two years as a player with Inter between 1996 and 1998, spoke on Inter’s right wing-back Achraf Hakimi and striker Lautaro Martinez.
“Let’s say Hakimi is really strong and dangerous,” he added.
“Lautaro Martinez always complicates things, he always tries to do the hardest thing.”