Legendary former Inter striker Alessandro Altobelli has given a glowing review of the style of play at the club under Simone Inzaghi after the emphatic 4-0 win over Genoa in the former Lazio coach’s first Serie A game in charge.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in yesterday’s print edition, the former striker compared the football on show over the weekend favourably to that which was played under Inzaghi’s predecessor Antonio Conte.
Inzaghi was widely admired for his tactical acumen as head coach of Lazio, with many observers giving him plaudits not just for the Bianconeri’s success in the table but also for the attractive and incisive brand of football which they often played under his stewardship.
Fans will have been anxiously awaiting his debut and hoping that he could transplant some of this quality to his new club, and very early signs suggest that he will be able to do so, something Altobelli notes,
“Inter were wonderful for the whole 90 minutes,” stated Altobelli, “It’s only the first match, for heaven’s sake, but I noticed a certain difference compared to last season – I saw a superior quality of football, a team that especially in midfield put on a show, combining quality and quantity.”
He continued, “It is useless to hide it – the farewell of Conte and the departures of Hakimi and Lukaku were a tough blow, but the impact against Genoa is the best response that the group could have made, and has given the brightest sign for the season.”
Altobelli praised a new signing in particular, stating that “I was struck by Calhanoglu, the player who, you know, I say that he can give a lot to the Nerazzurri, because he is very useful in the two phases.”
On another new signing, the former striker was similarly effusive in his praise, stating that “Then Dzeko: It shouldn’t have to be discovered now, he has always been a great striker. He will be an important reference, he gives depth and makes his teammates play well – already on Saturday we saw something in this sense.”
Altobelli concluded, “Bravo Inzaghi, now all that remains is to continue like this.”
