Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot feels that Inter are not the same they were a season or two ago, based on the two sides having met twice this season.

Speaking to Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the Frenchman also brushed off the controversy around his handball in the buildup to the Bianconeri’s goal on Sunday, suggesting that controversies are just part of football in Serie A.

Inter have been bitterly disappointed to lose to Juventus in both of their league meetings this season, in fixtures that are always among the first circled on the calendar by Nerazzurri fans given the rivalry that exists between the two teams.

The Nerazzurri will have the opportunity to wash that bitter taste out of their mouths somewhat with their upcoming Coppa Italia semifinal tie against the Bianconeri, although from Rabiot’s perspective, he does not regard Inter as being quite as formidable as they had been in the recent past.

“To be completely honest, the impression I got on Sunday is that they’re not as strong as the team they were when we faced them in Turin,” the midfielder said.

“And also, that they’re not the same team they were a season ago, or two seasons.”

“I’ve gotten the sense that they’ve lost some confidence, particularly with all the league matches they’ve lost this season,” he said.

“If we look at what’s been seen on the pitch this season, we have to highlight our win in Turin, and then subsequent one away at their home ground recently,” the Frenchman said.

“So from a purely psychological point of view, this could be a bit of an advantage for us,” Rabiot suggested.

“However, if we take the our squad and theirs, we see that the quality is more or less equivalent.”

And regarding his handball incident, Rabiot said that “In Italy, I understand that these things are always a big subject for debate, they’re talked about a lot and for a long time.”