Italy coach Luciano Spalletti believes that Inter Milan have the qualities necessary to go on and win the Champions League.
Spalletti spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. The former Nerazzurri, Napoli, and Roma coach also gave his thoughts on midfielder Davide Frattesi.
Inter are on course to reach the Champions League quarterfinals.
The Nerazzurri will have work to do in the second leg of their round of sixteen tie against Atletico Madrid. A 1-0 win in the first leg could set up a gruelling return match similar to last season’s clash with Porto at this stage.
But Inter will have the confidence that comes from having been here before.
The Nerazzurri negotiated the Champions League knockouts superbly last season.
And only the narrow margins of an excellent Rodri strike and a handful of missed chances kept Inter from winning it all as they went toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the final.
Spalletti: Inter Can Win Champions League
The Nerazzurri are flying high in Serie A at the moment.
Inter are nine points clear of Juventus at the top of the table, with a game in hand.
The Nerazzurri look well on course to do what Spalletti did last season with Napoli and win the Scudetto in fairly emphatic fashion.
And just as important as the numbers and results have been the performances from Inter. These have been highly convincing.
Asked if he thinks Inter can win it all in Europe, Spalletti replied “Yes. Because they have it all.”
The veteran coach named “Quality style of play, balance, compactness, maturity, unity of intent.”
“Everyone helps each other out,” the coach said of the Nerazzurri.
“You don’t see anyone having a bad attitude. Annoyed gestures after a substitution or a mistake.”
“They’re a team,” Spalletti said of Inter.
“They’re very well-coached, and in midfield they’re extremely strong.”
Then, the current Italy coach also gave his thoughts on Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi.
The 24-year-old has not played all that much at Inter this season. Asked if the limited minutes for a player who starts regularly for the Azzurri can be a problem, Spalletti replied “Sure.”
“But then I’ll have the player fresher for the Euros,” he added.
Spalletti called Frattesi “A player who always fits into the role I need him in a match well.”
