Italian coach Luigi De Canio has predicted that Inter could still be strong enough to win Serie A next season despite the losses of key players.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster TMW Radio, reported by FCInterNews, the Italian tactician gave his view that the Nerazzurri can still be well in the hunt for the Scudetto next season even in spite of losing Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi.

Inter not only won the league last season for the first time in more than a decade, but did so in dominant fashion, finishing the season twelve points clear of their closest rivals.

That was with the likes of Hakimi and Lukaku in the squad, however, and with head coach Romelu Lukaku at the helm.

Without these figures, many have predicted that the Nerazzurri will struggle next season to find continuity with the quality and consistency which characterized the past league campaign.

De Canio believes, however, that there is still some reason for optimism among Inter fans.

“Even if Simone Inzaghi does not have the same experience and the same winning recordas Antonio Conte, this Inter can be absolutely competitive for the Scudetto,” he said.

De Canio continued with a less positive appraisal of Inter’s chances in the Champions League, stating that “Everything they spent last year was not just for the championship.

“As far as Europe is concerned, they are a step backwards, but they can compete to win the championship.”