Former Lazio and Inter striker Hernan Crespo is looking forward to this evening’s Serie A clash between two of his former sides, and believes that it will be a good show of top talent.
Speaking to Rome-based newspaper Il Messaggero in an interview published in today’s print edition, the Argentine gave his view on the two clubs and in particular singled out Inter players Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella.
Crespo joined Lazio from Parma in the summer of 2000 and went on to play for the Biancocelesti for two seasons before he went on to join Inter, where he made 86 appearances in total and won three Scudetti during his second spell with the club.
The former striker anticipates that the two teams will put on a good show this evening at the Stadio Olimpico, and that each side will have a good opportunity to show their qualities early on in the season.
“For both teams [it will be a good test], even if we’re just starting out,” he said. |They are two strong but different teams. One must prove themselves and it is not easy because they have lost important players. Conte’s legacy still weighs heavily, but Simone is smart, manic at work, I know. The other are rebuilding themselves, focusing on an idea with good players. A nice mix.”
On which of the two sides are risking more in the match he said, “I don’t know, to be honest. Inzaghi, albeit with some difficulties, is doing a good job of finding continuity. In the race for the Scudetto he cannot afford to lose ground, it is natural, he is now in the Nerazzurri DNA because the others are there and are pushing hard. Of course, if Sarri’s Lazio play like they did in the derby, it will be tough for Inter.”
On Nerazzurri striker Lautaro Martinez Crespo said, “I think he is a complete, technically and physically strong player. I’m happy he stayed at Inter, he still has some incredible room for improvement.”
Of the replacement of Romelu Lukaku with Edin Dzeko in the summer he stated, “There are no strikers like Lukaku, but the Nerazzurri forward line is strong and experienced, both Dzeko and Correa can do well with Lautaro.”
Of players he is looking forward to watching Crespo named, “For Lazio Luis Alberto: if he does well, the attackers have fun, he reminds me a little of Veron. For Inter Barella has grown a lot, he is a modern midfielder – quality and quantity.”
On the return of former Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi to the Stadio Olimpico he stated, “I know how much he is linked to the Biancocelesti environment, I think it will not be easy at first, but then the match will start and everything will pass.”
On his memories of his time at Inter Crespo recalled, “We were a group of champions. With Vieri, in particular, there was an incredible understanding on the pitch. I left in 2003 after only a year, to my great surprise, but then I came back and I won a lot.”
And lastly on the Scudetto race, the former striker predicted, “For Simone’s Inter it will be tough because there are Milan, who intrigue me a lot, and Napoli who are playing at at incredible levels. And then Juve, who are always up there. It will certainly be a good season until the end.”
