Italian journalist Ivan Zazzaroni feels that the criticism of Inter captain and goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has gotten out of hand and that the 37-year-old might as well become a scapegoat for social problems with how fans criticize him.
Writing in his column in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Zazzaroni compared Handanovic to fellow goalkeeper Andre Onana after the Cameroonian’s Inter debut against Bayern Munich and highlighted the excessiveness of the criticisms he faces.
Many Inter fans had not been shy in calling for Onana to be given a chance ahead of Handanovic on the basis of what they saw as subpar performances by the captain over the first few games of the season, and they got their wish as the 26-year-old was trusted to start against Bayern.
Onana’s display was a positive one especially considering it was his first competitive appearance for the Nerazzurri and came against the toughest of opposition, though Zazzaroni feels that he has not yet clearly stepped ahead of Handanovic in the pecking order.
“Onana deserves recognition all of his own,” he writes, “after his debut at the request of fans who feel he can no longer sit behind Handanovic, who will soon start to be blamed for high inflation and climate change.”
“The Cameroonian was busy from the first few minutes,” Zazzaroni continues. “He got by fairly well, but before we can see if he takes Handanovic’s spot right away, more tests will be necessary.”
