Legendary former Italy and Juventus head coach Marcello Lippi feels that Inter got a major boost in their Scudetto pursuit by beating the Bianconeri last weekend.

Speaking to Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, Lippi suggested that the Nerazzurri have regained their momentum with the result and predicted a tight title race until the end.

Inter desperately needed to regain their footing in the Serie A title race after their miserable run of form in the weeks leading up to the international break at the end of March.

The break gave the team an opportunity to pause and catch their breath, but the match waiting for them on the other side was always clear to be one of their most difficult of the season.

The Bianconeri proved to be a very formidable opponent in front of their home fans, but the Nerazzurri gritted their teeth and hung on for a 1-0 win, and Lippi feels that this has been decisive for their season.

“Those three points gave the Nerazzurri their energy back and slowed down the Bianconeri,” he said. “If Juve had won, they would have played for the Scudetto until the end and maybe even had a chance to win it.”

“Now, however, the race is between the three teams at the top and I think it’s unlikely that Juventus could recover,” he continued.

Asked whether the season could have a similar end to the 2001-02 campaign which went down to the final day, Lippi said that “I see a lot of balance right now, but I don’t know if it will go until the last round like it did on that occasion.”