Legendary former Inter defender Beppe Bergomi feels that it’s imperative that this Nerazzurri team can re-find their sense of unity and purpose if they’re to progress from their Champions League round of sixteen tie against Benfica.
Speaking to Italian news outlet Gazzetta TV, via FCInterNews, the former defender predicted a tough tie against the high-flying Portuguese league leaders, and spoke about what he sees as the Nerazzurri’s main flaws at the moment which need to be overcome.
Inter find themselves in a quarterfinal tie that is, on paper, considerably easier than had they drawn Manchester City, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich.
However, there will be no underestimating Benfica regardless of the fact that they do not play in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
The Lisbon-based team knocked Juventus out of the group stage and also secured two impressive draws against Paris Saint-Germain, whilst they reached the quarterfinal stage with an emphatic 7-1 aggregate win over Club Brugge in the round of sixteen.
“It’s tough to make predictions,” Bergomi said, “Inter are up against a Benfica team who are tough and well-organized.”
“They play at a very high tempo and have quick players, they eliminated Juve and played very well against PSG,” he added.
The former defender then spoke about what the Nerazzurri need to do in order to improve, replying that “It’s not easy, this is the team they have.”
“It’s built to play this type of football, it’s the least European-style team out of the Italian sides,” he added.”
“They’re all good players, but they don’t have players who can dribble one against one, they have to break through with possession play.”
“But in one-off matches, you can go through if you find the right compactness,” Begomi added.
“Nothing can be taken for granted with Inter, but they have to improve by finding a very strong unity of purpose.”
