Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti believes that Inter no longer have the same aura of being pace-setters in Serie A after a loss to AC Milan and draw against Napoli.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster TMW Radio, Sconcerti emphasized that even though the Nerazzurri are still the favourites for the Scudetto in his view, they no longer give the sense of being a level above their rivals.
Inter came into the back-to-back matches against the Rossoneri and the Partenopei as the form team in Serie A over the past few months, putting a few early wobbles behind them to surge into a commanding lead at the top of the table.
Now, after losing in the derby and then dropping further points away to Napoli, the Nerazzurri find themselves a point behind their city rivals and a point ahead of Napoli, albeit with a game in hand on both.
Sconcerti stated that “Inter have gotten 5 points less than last year at this point, albeit with one match less. Milan have two points more, Napoli have nine more. This week the benchmark team has fallen off.”
He added that “Inter have lost in a week the benchmark status they had taken on. I’m still convinced that they will win anyway, but I have some doubts.”
“Milan has grown up,” he said, “Napoli have had problems with injuries and as soon as various key players have returned, they’ve returned to winning.”