The lack of Champions League matches has aided Inter’s challenge for the Serie A title this season, according to Italian journalist Ivan Zazzaroni.
The Nerazzurri were dumped out of European competition in December after finishing bottom of their group in the Champions League, but have since gone on to open up a six point lead at the top of Serie A.
Speaking to Italian radio station Radio Deejay earlier today, Zazzaroni claimed that he had witnessed Antonio Conte’s side develop since their elimination, and praised the influence of the coach on the team.
“You can see Conte’s work in the defensive phase, the tracking back of the midfielders and forwards is now automatic. Before, I saw errors caused by fatigue, but I have noticed an exponential growth since exiting the Champions League,” Zazzaroni claimed.
Following Inter’s elimination in December, fellow Italian representatives Juventus were also knocked out of the Champions League at the hands of Porto in midweek, and Zazzoroni was scathing about the Bianconeri’s results after investing in Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Ronaldo still has another year left, with €27-28 million amortised, €61m gross on the balance sheet. If you spend so much to get Ronaldo for the Champions League and then do worse than in the previous two years, the Juventus players will turn their noses up. The two matches against Porto were evident to all,” Zazzaroni concluded.
Inter look to maintain their lead at the top of Serie A when they visit relegation-threatened Torino tomorrow.
