Italian journalist Matteo Marani believes that even if Inter are not able to progress to the quarter-finals against Liverpool, a good performance will still be important.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, Marani gave the view that even if the chances of going through in the second leg are slim, a convincing performance would still be important.
The Nerazzurri have already gone further in the Champions League than they have in a decade by making the knockout round, and they have come up against one of the best sides in the competition in the form of Liverpool.
In the first leg at the San Siro, the Nerazzurri went toe-to-toe with the 2019 winners of the competition, but some naivete and a lack of clinical finishing saw them disappointed to lose 2-0 on the night, giving them a mountain to climb at Anfield.
Nevertheless, the nature of the performance was highly encouraging as far as the team’s quality and confidence, and a similar display in the away leg could be further proof of the progress that they have made under Simone Inzaghi.
“Now the team has found themselves again,” Marani said, “their chances of qualification are very low, but it will be important to have a good match nevertheless.”
The journalist also gave his thoughts on the state of the Serie A title race, stating that “On paper, Juve and Inter were the team with the best credentials to go on and win the title at the start of the season, but instead they let their rivals in.”
“Inter have seven points fewer than this time last season, Juve eight,” he stressed. “Milan are proving themselves, while Napoli are perhaps the best of all at this moment in time.”