Former Napoli and Inter midfielder Salvatore Bagni believes that the latter’s winning streak could come to an end when the two sides face off tomorrow, but expects the Nerazzurri to win the title.
Inter travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona off the back of 11 consecutive league victories and the Nerazzurri only require 13 more points to secure the Serie A title, whilst Napoli have won four of their last five games.
In an interview with FCInter1908.it, Bagni anticipated an intriguing match and felt that Napoli were the team to end Antonio Conte’s winning run.
“In my opinion, Napoli can be the ones to stop Inter,” Bagni claimed. “Inter have recently won by close scores, such as against Bologna, Atalanta or last Sunday against Cagliari.
“They deservedly won and managed the matches, which is deserving of praise, as is defending well. Against Napoli it won’t be as simple because [Gennaro] Gattuso’s team have considerable attacking potential, even if [Hirving] Lozano will be missing
“Between their forwards and midfielders everyone can score, from Fabian Ruiz to [Piotr] Zielinski, passing through to those in front, everyone has the ability to create a goal.
“Napoli will be able to put Inter in a lot of difficulty, they have always enjoyed two or three movements and are in great condition. Above all, they have everyone available and Gattuso can show the value of his team.
“Just watch the first match at the Stadio San Siro in November. The real Napoli could challenge for the Scudetto, even if Inter had won. They could have been the real challengers.
“I say that Inter’s streak of victories will be interrupted. I am not saying that they will lose, but in my opinion Napoli will get something. Napoli is the most difficult fixture remaining for Inter, I think Conte will agree.
“For me Zielinski and, more than Lukaku who will have a difficult opponent, Lautaro Martinez will be decisive.”
Despite tipping Inter to stumble in tomorrow evening’s match, the 1987 Scudetto-winning midfielder was confident that the Nerazzurri would go on to seal the league title this season.
“Everything is fine and nobody can catch Inter. With 11 consecutive victories they have pulled ahead and will deservedly win the title because of incredible consistency.
“Nothing will change regardless of any result, starting from Napoli. I think 11 points cannot be overcome with just eight games to go. Inter deserve it, it was not easy to remove the Scudetto badge from the Juventus shirt after nine years.”
The Nerazzurri have come under fire for a perceived negative style of play in recent weeks, but Bagni felt that success was the most important thing for the club.
“Conte replied like a great professional. In the end what matters most? I would like to ask those who say these things if they would be satisfied if Inter had always played well and lost,” he continued.
“These are things that don’t stand up in football. You win because you deserve to, because you are solid, because you have to play 38 games and it is a long journey. If you have consistency then it means that you are a strong team, organised, and with important values that the coach has transmitted.
“Let’s not forget that he made some demands. He didn’t want a player with the characteristics of Lukaku, he wanted Lukaku, who now makes the difference. Conte must also be given credit for this. The important thing is the result, and you know how difficult it is to play against this Inter.”
Despite this, Bagni was critical of Inter’s early exit from the Champions League after they were knocked out at the Group Stage in December, but felt that more options in attack would see them compete in Europe next year.
“It’s true that Inter should have done more, but the elimination gave them the possibility of continuity that they did not have at the beginning of the season.
“It is obvious that next year Inter are expected not only to overcome the first round, but to go much further. We have seen that less equipped teams also progress, but one thing at a time. In the meantime, they must win the league and next year they will certainly improve the team.
“They already had a team that could have easily progressed this year. In addition to the goal of winning the league next season, Inter will also have to go a long way in the Champions League.
“They need more quality players, but Inter’s team is strong and that cannot be denied. There are two strong players for each position. In my opinion, a few more strikers are needed.
“Having Lukaku and Lautaro available for practically every game gives them an advantage, but something could have happened like that at Napoli, with injuries to [Dries] Mertens and [Victor] Osimhen. The forwards make the difference and next year they will need someone else.”
As a former central midfielder, Bagni spoke of his delight at seeing the development of current Nerazzurri man Nicolo Barella.
“His development is amazing. He is a player who runs, presses, recovers the ball and can shoot. He always plays for his teammates. He is the typical modern player, good at both ends and always with quality,” Bagni concluded.
The 64-year-old joined Inter from Perugia in 1981 and scored 12 goals in 82 appearances before spending four years at Napoli.