Former Lazio, Juventus, and West Ham United forward Paolo Di Canio believes that Inter now face a serious challenge in qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage from their group.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, the 53-year-old gave the view that Inter’s draw against Shakhtar Donetsk and the shock victory by Sheriff Tiraspol at the Bernabeu has left the Nerazzurri in a competitive group.
Inter’s group stage campaign has not gone according to plan so far, with a frustrating loss against Real Madrid and a hard-fought draw against Shakhtar leaving them on one point after two matches played.
Meanwhile, debutants Sheriff Tiraspol have started their group stage campaign perfectly, with wins against Shakhtar and Real.
The group now looks to be one from which any of the four teams could progress, and Di Canio believes that the Nerazzurri must begin to show more than they did against Shakhtar if they wish to progress.
“Is it the evening of regrets? Absolutely yes,” he said. “Inter looked slow to me at first, it seemed like a preseason friendly – perhaps the first time playing in the cold kept the players within themselves. They had the chances to win it, Dzeko missed a sensational chance – Shakhtar a tough side for this Inter, Barella’s shot alone is not enough.”
He went on, “With the Sheriff’s victory, this is a complicated group – this is a regret, this Sheriff team must be taken seriously.”