Italian journalist Michele Criscitiello believes that Inter have had a stronger start to the season than rivals Juventus in spite of their difficult summer because of the jobs done by the two clubs’ respective Sporting Directors in recruitment over the summer.

Writing in his column for Tuttomercaroweb.com, Criscitiello gave the view that the Nerazzurri’s summer transfer window of upheaval could have presented an opportunity for the Bianconeri to regain their place at the top of Serie A decisively but that this was squandered.

Last season Inter broke Juventus’s nine-season Scudetto streak to capture their first Serie A title in eleven years, but the financial difficulties at the club forced them to sell two important players after parting with manager Antonio Conte.

Many expected that this could precipitate a decline for the Nerazzurri, and predicted that it would be Juventus who would take advantage to wrestle back their place at the top.

However, the beginning of the season by the two clubs would suggest that the Bianconeri are not yet ready to dominate again as they had been.

“The difference was made by the Sporting Directors,” Criscitiello writes, “because if you are Marotta and you have to make money by losing the best players in the squad you have three possibilities – you leave, hold a press conference and criticize the owners, or you come up with something.”

He goes on, “Inter did this, Juventus was unable to do anything. Inter are still in the running for the title and, thanks to the transfer market Juventus had, they may well remain in pole position. Juve will be in it as always, but they did not take advantage of Suning’s gifts.”