Torino Defender David Zima: “Inter Look Almost Like Barcelona To Me But Viktoria Plzen Have A Chance Against Them”

Torino defender David Zima feels that Inter are nearly at the same level as Barcelona, but that even so their Champions League opponents for tomorrow Viktoria Plzen have a chance to get a result against them.

Speaking to Czech news outlet Idnez.cz, Zima compared the Nerazzurri to the Blaugranas who beat Viktoria 5-1 at the Camp Nou in the group stage opener, though also suggested that a victory can hardly be taken for granted.

Viktoria are seen as the major underdogs in their group, with heavy-hitters Inter, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich comprising the “group of death” on their own whilst the Czech side do not have the same quality as the other three teams in the group.

Zima, whose Granata team were on the end of a narrow 1-0 loss to the Nerazzurri over the weekend, feels that the Nerazzurri are certainly strong enough to get a convincing win as Barcelona did, but that Viktoria still have a chance.

“Everyone is beatable,” he said. “But I don’t want to go too far, because I think tomorrow’s game will be a completely different match for them than it was for us.”

The Torino defender noted that “We play in a different style than Viktoria, constantly pressing all over the pitch – I don’t think this is Viktoria’s style.”

Asked if he thinks the absence of Romelu Lukaku will improve Viktoria’s chances, Zima said that “It’s always more complicated with a player like him on the pitch. But when a top player is missing, the others in the squad and always replace him at a high level.”

Asked if he thinks Viktoria have a chance, Zima replied “Playing at home, yes. I know how difficult it is to play there. Inter are used to 70,000 fans at San Siro, a small stadium could be unusual for them.”

“In addition, cup competitions are played differently than league matches, the teams don’t know each other well,” he noted. “Plzen could perhaps use this to their advantage.”

“The Champions League, however, is such a prestigious competition that it doesn’t matter who plays against who,” he added. “A team of the caliber of Inter wants to win all their games in it and it doesn’t matter if it’s against Viktoria or against Bayern.”

“They take both opponents equally seriously, and especially in such a tough group, the scoreline can also be important,” Zima noted. “So not only will they try to win but also score as many goals as possible.”