Former Lazio, Juventus, and West Ham United striker Paolo Di Canio feels that it is inappropriate for Inter coach Simone Inzaghi to talk about reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League as an “historic” achievement.
Speaking on Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, the former striker suggested that whilst this would be a fair assertion if Inzaghi were coaching a smaller team, for Inter it should not be seen that way.
In his remarks following the final whistle of Inter’s goalless draw away to Porto earlier this week, Nerazzurri coach Inzaghi didn’t hold back in expressing his pride at reaching the last eight of the Champions League.
The 46-year-old described the achievement as “writing a little page in the history of Inter.”
From the perspective of Di Canio, this talk of making “history” is more befitting the coach of a smaller club, but for the coach of Inter it does not show a respect for the stature of the club.
“I was sitting there drinking my tear and listening to him speak, and I thought: ‘Did he win the Champions League?'” Di Canio said.
“He’s not at Chievo Verona, where these results would be historic,” he went on, “maybe even for Lazio these kinds of results would be historic.”
“But Inter won the Treble in 2010, and when Inzaghi arrived they had just won the Scudetto.”
“Certain statements are not worthy of a big club,” Di Canio argued, “it comes across as though he hasn’t really realized what club he’s at.”
“Inter’s history is hardly befitting those kinds of statements.”
“Simone is a good coach, but Inter are too big for certain pronouncements,” the former striker argued.
“They got the result, but they didn’t make history,” Di Canio said, “in saying that he diminishes Inter, and also diminishes himself.”
