Inter Milan legend Marco Materazzi felt that the Nerazzurri deserved to beat Man City in the Champions League final last June.
In a new interview, the 50-year-old discussed the club’s previous campaign as well as the current one.
The Italian giants reached the Champions League final but fell short against Manchester City.
The Beneamata paid for their missed chances, as Rodri’s solitary strike was enough to seal a historic treble for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Nevertheless, Materazzi insists that his former club deserved the trophy and could have won the final.
“Last season, Inter showed they deserved the Champions League. They could have even won it,” argues the 2006 World Cup winner in an interview with Flashscore.
“The positive thing is that I think Inter came out of that match stronger. I think the team has acquired the strength of those who know they can against anyone, and I think the start of the Serie A campaign has shown that.”
Marco Materazzi Felt Inter Milan Deserved To Win The Champions League Final Vs Man City
The 2010 Treble winner insists that Nerazzurri must not take the Champions League group stage for granted. He argues that the level of competition has increased in recent years.
“The level in the Champions League has improved a lot, and it will be difficult with all the teams.
“Inter must not make the mistake of thinking that the round is easy. Anything can happen in Europe.
“In the past, there have been teams who have won the Champions League by scoring eight points in the group and then reached the final with confidence.
“Every game must be taken seriously, as they are doing. Lautaro and his teammates know it won’t be easy, but they also know they are strong.”
Materazzi believes Napoli should be considered the Scudetto favorites since they’re the defending champions. However, he insists that Inter has what it takes to clinch the title.
“The favorite is always the team that wins the Scudetto because it possesses the mentality and the strength.”
“Nonetheless, Inter were still very strong even two years ago and deserved the Scudetto.
“Last year, they had a different path, perhaps also because of the different preparation due to the World Cup played in the middle of the season.”