Inter legend Beppe Bergomi has said that Inter plays better football than AC Milan this season and that Simone Inzaghi continues to surprise him, according to a report in the Italian print media today.
Speaking during an interview with Libero, Beppe Bergomi first talked about whether the derby on Saturday will be decisive for AC Milan’s title hopes or not.
“It’s too early. It is not a diplomatic answer, I am honest: there are still many games left and Inter are still in the Champions League, it will be necessary to see if they will go on and how much the great challenge at Liverpool will affect the mental and physical state of the team. Even in the first leg it was said to be decisive because Milan was seven points ahead, then Inter recovered.”
He was then asked which of the two teams plays the best football right now and Beppe Bergomi admitted that both teams are very good, but said Inter are better.
“They both play well. But I must say that Inter are playing better this year. They want to dominate and they succeed. Milan is the same as last year, when it was already working: a “box to box” team, with good players who attack vertically, without too many frills.
“However, they must be physically and mentally well: with such an intense game, you cannot afford to drop in condition.”
Out of Simone Inzaghi and AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli, Beppe Bergomi says he prefers Inzaghi because he is continually surprising him.
“I say Inzaghi because Pioli doesn’t surprise me. Simone, on the other hand, yes: I thought he might encounter more difficulties. Seeing Bastoni who in theory is a defender but in reality he plays like a winger, a midfielder, it is exciting.
“Conte gave a deep imprint and trace, but above there is a lot of Inzaghi: the fifths are higher, the midfielders attack differently and, having different points from Lukaku, the team started to dribble later on the field.”
The same question was put to Beppe Bergomi but this time about Beppe Marotta and Paolo Maldini.
“Paolo Maldini is doing a great job. He did well not to move on the January transfer market, even if he had a need at the centre of defence: if there is not a player who changes your team, it is better to avoid mistakes.
“This certifies that Maldini works for the future, without the anguish of winning immediately, but still aiming for the maximum. Marotta’s hand is evident in Inter: he foresees the moves, he solves problems before they arise. They are two different philosophies but both successful, which will bear fruit.”
Beppe Bergomi was asked which player from Inter and Milan would be the best in the opposition team.
“For how Inter play with 3-5-2, Theo Hernandez on the left would be perfect, even if Gosens has just arrived. For how Milan plays, however, I would say Bastoni again: ideal for defending forward and coming out from behind with the first clean pass.”
