Former Inter midfielder Aron Winter has said that beating Juventus changed everything for Inter and their season, according to a report in the Italian media today.
Speaking during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Aron Winter explained that beating Juventus changes the way you look at yourself as a team and it brings confidence.
“Beating Juve with the Inter shirt always changes the way you look at yourself. It gives you confidence. This time that victory changed the whole championship. But the best part comes now: no match must be taken for granted between now and the end.”
It was that 1-0 win over Juventus and the 2-0 win over Hellas Verona that has made Inter look like the favourites to win the Scudetto again. Aron Winter feels they are in a strong position.
“Let’s say that with their last two victories, also looking at the results of the other rivals, Inter have put themselves in the best position for the end of the race. Serie A is truly an exciting championship.”
Inter were in a very poor run of form before those two wins but the former midfielder feels that people should not be comparing them to last season’s Inter team.
“Especially when things weren’t going well, Inter have suffered too much from the comparisons made with the team from the previous year. They don’t make sense: this is a different Inter, which had to evolve.
“They will have lost a few points but, also in the difficulties, they proved to be balanced. They defend well, concede little, and also have many offensive solutions: Lautaro is a new star and, when you need help, you always find Dzeko.”
As a Dutchman, Aron Winter has a particular eye on Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij when he watches Inter games. He is not surprised by the quality that Denzel Dumfries has shown.
“Maybe you didn’t know him, but here we immediately saw his desire to emerge. Ever since he started with Sparta Rotterdam, he had this career in his mind. You see him always with that angry face, but he is a positive player. A driving force who makes others feel good.
“He always runs forward, but has the speed to recover when he loses the ball. To be in the first year of Italy he has adapted well, but over time he will improve: Serie A always makes you grow.”
Stefan de Vrij is linked with a move away from Inter but Aron Winter feels that the Nerazzurri should think twice before they let him go.
“Inter should think twice about letting him go: are you sure there is someone better around? I have always felt connected to him, also because he made the same Italian journey as I did: first Lazio, then Inter. I like him not only because he knows how to mark, but also because of how he plays the ball in the Dutch style. And then he’s a really good guy.”
