Legendary former Inter defender Marco Materazzi feels that the Nerazzurri have drawn the most difficult possible opponent they could in Liverpool for the Champions League, but there is hope.
Speaking in the official matchday programme, the Nerazzurri legend recalled a knockout tie in similar circumstances, against Chelsea on the way to the 2009-10 treble.
On the theme of English opposition in the Champions League, Materazzi noted that he and his teammates had drawn a very formidable Chelsea side during the 2009-10 edition of the competition and felt that they had been very hard done by with the draw.
However, despite the strength of that Blues team, the Nerazzurri went in with the right mentality and in the end came out 3-1 winners on aggregate over two legs.
Materazzi has faith that something similar can occur with the current Inter side against Liverpool, stating that “Maybe they’re the worst possible opponent, but I can’t forget Chelsea in the round of sixteen in 2010.”
“I remember that, when we met them in a friendly match in Pasadena, I thought to myself: ‘How can we possibly beat this team?'” he went on.
“They were on another level,” he said. “However, we moved on to the next round! This won’t an easy undertaking, but if it goes well they can do it.”
Looking back to that match, Materazzi reflected that “I remember the cohesion of the Nerazzurri locker room well.|
“Sometimes, when there are so many top players, not everyone is necessarily going out to dinner together,” he explained. “But on the pitch we were all friends and brothers.”
“And everyone ran for their teammates,” he emphasized. “I was lucky enough to play with so many talented players.”