Legendary former Inter, Manchester United, and Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince feels that the Nerazzurri are more than capable of getting a result against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, the Englishman emphasized that the Nerazzurri are a strong enough team to eliminate the Reds from the tie.
Liverpool are the favourites to win in the tie starting with tomorrow’s first leg at the San Siro in the eyes of many, and few Inter fans will have been happy to have seen them drawn.
However, the Nerazzurri are also just about the last opponent that the Reds would have wanted to see among their possible opponents.
Ince believes that the tie will a hugely difficult one for the Nerazzurri, but also that they’ve shown enough on the pitch this season that they can give it a go.
He characterized it as “Difficult, but not impossible. The problem is that front three. Salah and Mane are not tired, especially since players seem to recharge their energy in these matches.”
“And also pay attention to the movements of Jota or Firmino,” he added.
Ince predicted that “To get through, Inter must take advantage of the magic of San Siro and win the first leg, even if no result is safe at Anfield – Barcelona will know it…”
“In general, you win by defending at your best,” he continued.
For a tactical approach for the Nerazzurri, Ince stated that “The wing-backs can attack Robertson and Alexander-Arnold in behind, leaving some space.”
“Dumfries is visibly improving and Perisic gives the team certainty,” he went on. “And Inter have top quality everywhere: take Barella, he’s a modern and fantastic midfielder.”
When it was pointed out that Barella is suspended for both legs of the tie, Ince acknowledged that this hurts Inter “A lot, a lot. We saw his impact at the Euros.”
“He has everything, he’s a total player,” Ince added of Barella, “he’s the perfect player for the Premier League: he tackles, assists, he knows how to score.”
Of Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, he mused that “Here in England, Inzaghi meant Filippo, who was a great striker! Now, however, everyone knows about Simone’s class on the bench.”
“I like the passion he transmits and in this sense he comes close to Klopp,” he went on, “someone who taught Liverpool to never be afraid.”
“For Simone this is the best evening to prove that he too is a top coach,” Ince suggested. “Since he has been at the helm, Inter are much more technical than they were during the Conte era, even if winning the Scudetto is more difficult because the competition has increased.”
Ince also mentioned that “If I had been in Lukaku’s position, I would never have left,” of the departure of striker Romelu Lukaku during last summer.
“Everyone loved him in Milan and the team was perfect for him,” he added, “at Chelsea it’s tougher. Conte’s departure amazed me, but he needs signings to shape his his teams and in England this need can be satisfied.”
