Former Inter defender Marco Materazzi has criticised Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci for his comments about Inter’s title win last season, according to a report in the Italian media.
Speaking during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marco Materazzi was asked about Leonardo Bonucci saying Inter’s title win was more down to Juventus playing poorly rather than Intr playing well.
“He is talking shit. He has now become a Juventus player and as such he speaks. But I could have made the same mistake.
“They won for nine years and deserved the compliments. Now, however, they must be done at Inter. Who says that knowing how to lose it is more difficult than knowing how to win is Andrea Agnelli, not Massimo Moratti or Steven Zhang.”
Marco Materazzi believes that the match against Juventus on Sunday will be won and lost in the midfield, particularly with the duel between Manuel Locatelli and Nicolo Barella.
“I think in midfield it will be won. Inter is preferred, but they are now very square and as usual in Milan they care about doing well. Also because in a stadium like San Siro they don’t play often.
“Manuel Locatelli has grown a lot in the last year, but with all due respect I hold on to Barella. He is now a world-beater.
“Even if someone who does not understand football still does not realize that some of Nicolò’s colleagues are exalted because they have a defined role, while he knows how to do everything well. In any case, if Inzaghi wants to go and pinch their game source, I would send Vidal to Locatelli.”
Marco Materazzi does not appear to be very impressed with the form of Hakan Calhanoglu and feel that Arturo Vidal would be better for the role.
“The latest performances speak for themselves. Even if you never know how he goes to bed and how he wakes up, Arturo at the moment gives something more.
Calhanoglu’s worth is not disputed and I expect it to come out, but it seems to be on the swing again, like when he was at Milan. I think his is a mental problem rather than a physical one.”
Marco Materazzi believes that Edin Dzeko is a good player in multiple leagues whereas Romelu Lukaku is only good when he plays in Italy.
“Romelu is a phenomenon, but only in the Italian league. Dzeko is a phenomenon with different characteristics but he remains so even if you put him in England or Spain. Then it is clear that at 35 you can’t take him to play on the counterattack.”
The ex-Italy defender believes that Alessandro Bastoni will be a key defender for the national team in the near future.
“The Azzurri couple of the future is made up of him and Mancini of Roma. They complement each other very well, one more aggressive in marking, Ale less physical but with excellent feet that make the team go round.”
One player that Marco Materazzi feels is deserving of his place in the team is Federico Dimarco. He said: “The only big regret of this start of the season is the wrong penalty against Atalanta. He is deserving this space, with Juric he worked hard, especially on the pace and on quantity.”
The final player that Marco Materazzi discussed was Stefano Sensi, who he feels is a mystery.
“Stefano is a mystery because he is a phenomenon, so much so that he had to be at the European Championship. I think his is a problem of character and head. But remember that there is always time to turn around.”
The ex-Inter man believes that Inter will be the winners on Sunday, saying: “We win 3-1. The scorers? Let’s not exaggerate, but I’m crazy about Dzeko and Lautaro.”
