Legendary former Inter defender Nicola Berti is optimistic about the Nerazzurri’s season, and believes that the club can even improve on last season’s performances.

Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in yesterday’s print edition, the 54-year-old gave a positive review of the squad even after the losses of Achraf Hakimi, Romelu Lukaku, and head coach Antonio Conte.

Despite some major departures over the summer, the Nerazzurri have also brought in replacements all over the pitch and a head coach to take over from Conte in the form of exciting young ex-Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi.

Moreover, even with eye-catching exits, the spine of the team remains largely intact, and in particular the defenders who helped the team keep the best defensive Serie A on the way to winning the Scudetto are all still in the squad, with the likes of Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Skriniar, and Stefan de Vrij still ready to fight for another Sucdetto.

Berti emphasized this, stating that “The defense was not touched, which was the basis of last year. We never talk about this. And now there are the conditions to do as well as or better than last season.”

“And never mind if Conte is gone,” he went on, “Inzaghi, who spent 20 years at Lazio, has arrived and done something important. He brought positivity to Inter and created enthusiasm.”

Asked whether the Nerazzurri’s attack is still strong, Berti was unequivocal stating “Of course it is, now that Correa has arrived. It was a good signingto take him and Dzeko.”

“Then there is the inspiration of Calhanoglu,” he continued, “he went off like a rocket. I hadn’t seen him play that well at Milan, now he seems to me to be placed in the right context. Now we are waiting for the Champions League rounds and we hope it goes well.”