Former Inter defender Massimo Paganin was impressed with Joaquin Correa in the Nerazzurri’s win over Hellas Verona yesterday.
Speaking to InterTV (via FcInter1908) after the match, the 51-year-old Italian first discussed the performance before Correa was brought on by coach Simone Inzaghi.
“The coach and the guys performed well. Verona played a good match, man on man all over the field and avoided playing.
“The percentage of passes played was very low, Verona never built up from the back. The only mistake that was made led to the goal. Then Verona were never dangerous.”
“That was a penalty in my opinion, I didn’t understand why Manganiello didn’t go to VAR.”
He then touched on the importance of Correa in the match and his instant impact.
“Correa managed to squeeze into the spaces of Verona, who had stretched the distance between the departments. A lot of Inter’s shots came in the second half. The team did well to break the deadlock as the second half began.
“Correa came on with the pace we needed. Vidal came on well. The team was able to compensate for the lack of quality and was able to come out with the changes. It’s important to come through games like tonight, especially when you’ve just won the title.”
Paganin discussed the importance of winning games like yesterday’s, where the team doesn’t perform 100% but still finds the three points.
“Their ability to concentrate is key. It’s one of those dirty games that you have to bring home at all costs. The difference has to be made by those who come on and can determine the result.”
“From the outside you see what you could do. From there things changed. Everyone who came in changed the input of the game.”
“Those who stayed in know what they have to do and how they have to do it.”
Paganin was not concerned that Correa wouldn’t score enough goals.
“There are players who sometimes get unblocked and score in a different way.”
The 51-year-old Italian spoke about the performances of Matteo Darmian, Arturo Vidal and Matias Vecino.
“Darmian had an excellent game in terms of concentration, as well as an assist. Vidal has won in every team he’s been in. He knows that he has an important role in teams.
“Now he wants to show that he’s a different player, it’s part of a player’s temperament. He’s not for everyone.
“You have to wait for Vidal. Today he changed the direction the game was taking, Vecino also did very well.”
Finally, Paganin thought Inter should have had a penalty in the second half, when Lautaro Martinez was fouled in the Hellas Verona penalty area.
“I thought it was a clear-cut penalty, even when I saw it on television. The opposing player didn’t touch the ball at all. He even risked spraining Lautaro. Lautaro was on his way to shoot.
“There is VAR, Manganiello should have gone to see the action. If it had ended 1-1 we would be discussing the penalty.
“Over the course of last season I saw penalties given far less clear-cut than this one. It seemed really strange to me that he didn’t go and watch it on VAR.”
Inter’s next game of the season will be after the upcoming international break, facing Sampdoria on 12th September, before playing Real Madrid in their Champions League opener on the 15th.
