Former Inter defender Fabio Galante believes that Inter’s defensive issues in their five preseason matches have been nothing more than struggles to find fitness in the summer preseason.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, Galante predicted that the Nerazzurri will find defensive form quickly once the actual season begins and named them as his favourites for the Serie A title.
Inter’s defense has looked very porous across their five preseason friendlies, conceding a total of ten goals against the likes of Lugano, Monaco, Lens, Lyon, and Villarreal.
The 4-2 loss to Villarreal particularly exposed the team’s defensive issues, as the Spanish side were able to exploit the Nerazzurri’s lack of defensive compactness ruthlessly even with the first-choice back three playing.
However, Galante feels that this is normal in the summer preseason and that they will be able to shake it off quickly.
“I think and hope this is just the summer preseason and that when things get serious, Inter’s level will return to that of recent seasons,” he predicted.
“Sometimes it’s also a question of mentality, concentration,” he continued, “playing these summer friendlies in the heat is not an easy thing to do.”
“Surely the team is not at a hundred percent,” Galante said. “Inter are competing with Milan and Juve for the title, and then keep an eye on Roma. But Lukaku’s return is very big, particularly in terms of his goals.”
