Former AC Milan defender Massimo Oddo has claimed that the Champions League round of 16 will take a lot out of Inter and could play into the Rossoneri’s hands, according to a report in the Italian print media.

Speaking during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Massimo Oddo explained initially that Inter does have a more complete team right now when compared to AC Milan which is why they are top of the Serie A table.

“Certainly Milan are already competitive in the fight for the title and have been proving it for a couple of years now, even though they are not the strongest team on paper.

“They are a well-equipped group but when compared with Inter it must be admitted that the others, in terms of size and overall structure of the squad, have something more. Which does not necessarily mean that they will win the Scudetto, on the contrary. As I see it, it will be a battle until the end.”

Inter have won a deeply impressive seven Serie A games in a row and have not conceded a goal in six of those games which is a club record. They are now four points ahead of AC Milan and seven ahead of Napoli.

They are also into the Round of 16 of the Champions League where they will face Liverpool. AC Mian have no such commitments in the second half of the season and Massimo Oddo thinks this could be key.

“Pioli will also have advantages over the competition: for example, being able to prepare for the league match throughout the week helps, without other matches and trips in between. Inter will play the Champions League, which inevitably takes away energy.”