Former Inter goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca believes that the criticism currently being levelled at current Nerazzurri Number One Samir Handanovic is overly harsh.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Il Giornale in an interview published in today’s print edition, the former keeper gave his thoughts on the form of the Slovenian, who he believes is still a top keeper even if he is not quite at the level he was a few seasons ago.
Handanovic has come in for some criticism and accusations that he is no longer the right quality to be the first-choice goalkeeper for a club of Inter’s ambitions, though the Nerazzurri captain has nevertheless kept his place.
The Slovenian is 37 and some have noted that errors have crept into his game, with a bad pass gifting Hellas Verona a goal earlier in the season a prominent example.
However, Pagliuca still believes that Handanovic has something left to give, though he believes that the Slovenian should be replaced in due course.
“I have read the criticisms of him but I do not agree with them,” he said. “I think his only mistake of this season was against Verona. The goal conceded against Real seemed to me to be unstoppable, with Sampdoria he was tricked by a deflection. He is no longer as reactive as he was a few seasons ago, but this is understandable since he is 37 years old.”
Pagliuca did concede that “I think Inter will need to find a new goalkeeper soon.”
