Ex-Inter and Italy defender Marco Materazzi has explained that Inter are the favourites to win the Scudetto again this season because they won it last year, according to a report in the Italian media.
Whilst speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport during the Festival dello Sport, Marco Materazzi suggested that Inter are the favourites but that teams such as AC Milan are growing quickly and will make it very tough for Simone Inzaghi.
“I have always said, as it happened to me until two years ago when I was talking about Juve: Inter are favourites because they are Italian champions.
“Then there are teams that are growing like Milan, which is not a flash in the pan: they are well guided by a capable coach and a grandfather like Ibrahimovic who is proving to still be at his best. It’s a good championship, it will be fun.”
When asked about the national team, Marco Materazzi said that he really likes the current coach, Roberto Mancini, as well as Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni.
“I really like Mancini and Bastoni, people who have been growing for several years. We have a good turnover, but long live Bonucci and Chiellini because they are proving their worth every game and a great attachment to the blue jersey.”
Jose Mourinho was the coach of Inter for part of the time that Marco Materazzi was with the Nerazzurri, so he admitted that he now finds it very odd to see the Portuguese coach on the bench for AS Roma.
He did add that he is doing a very good job so far too.
“A strange feeling, but I expect a lot because he is among the top coaches in the world. He has a great desire to win because in the last two years he has suffered.
“He has an incredible ability to create enthusiasm, he is also doing it in Rome where he is loved by everyone. He is getting good results, he is bringing Roma back to the glories of the past, when he coached Inter.”
