Former Napoli midfielder Ottavio Bianchi believes that there is no margin for error for Inter as they prepare to face his former side next weekend in Serie A.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, the 78-year-old gave the view that the Nerazzurri must win the match against the Partenopei in order to stay in touch at the top of the Serie A table.
Inter sit seven points behind both Napoli and city rivals AC Milan at the top of the table, having failed to make up ground with a 1-1 draw against the Rossoneri in the derby before the break.
The Nerazzurri will have another opportunity to reduce the deficit in a head-to-head clash immediately upon returning from the international break as they host the Partenopei.
Even a loss would not leave the Nerazzurri totally out of the reckoning for defending last season’s Scudetto crown, but Bianchi believes that only a win would leave the Nerazzurri seriously in the race.
“The Nerazzurri must win so that they don’t stray too far from the top,” he said. “Now, looking at the table, the Scudetto race is between Milan and Naples.”
He went on that “Inter have two fast starters ahead of them, they can no longer lose any ground. However, it will not be easy at all against Napoli, who are a solid team, organized and above all good at stopping opponents from playing through them.”
“Inter undoubtedly have a top team,” Bianchi concluded, “but so far they have not won a head-to-head match. Two high-quality teams will face each other. In these matches, one mistake is enough to decide the result.”
