Former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi has tipped Inter Milan to win the Serie A title this season and lauded tactician Simone Inzaghi as one of the best in the league.
In an interview published in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, title-winning Milan icon Sacchi offered his thoughts on the race for the Scudetto this term.
Despite sitting in fourth place and trailing leaders Napoli by a point, Sacchi felt that Inter had the strength in depth to overcome their rivals both domestically and in Europe, and were equipped to the win the Scudetto and challenge for the Champions League.
“Inter have a team ready to fight both in the league and in the Champions League,” ex-Italy coach Sacchi claimed.
“I have supported this for a long time and I believe that this start to the season has confirmed it.
“Simone Inzaghi has players of high technical value and considerable international experience at his disposal. For this reason I believe that he can easily get to the end of both competitions”.
Sacchi argued that Inter’s team was complete, and even a defence that hadn’t reached the heights of last season was still incredibly robust.
Meanwhile, he felt that Inzaghi’s side was strongest in midfield, particularly thanks to a trio of Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
“The Nerazzurri are complete in defence, where they probably haven’t shown the solidity of last season but I think that, by fixing a few small details, can return to that granite-like rear guard that has always characterised Inzaghi’s team,” he continued.
“In midfield, probably the best area, there are players of the highest quality. I immediately go to Calhanoglu, a top-notch playmaker who knows how to get the engine running perfectly, but we can’t forget Barella and Mkhitaryan.
“In particular, Barella, after having had some physical problems, is recovering very well, and he is truly an added value for this team.
“Davide Frattesi, when he comes in, is always ready to contribute and, as his performances with the national team also demonstrate, he can be decisive in attack”.
Meanwhile, Sacchi argued that striker Lautaro Martinez still deserved plaudits for his efforts in leading the line, despite being less impressive in his output compared to last season.
“There is no discussion about Lautaro up front, because, even if he doesn’t have the same consistency in scoring as last season, he is perfect as a focal point,” Sacchi explained.
“The Argentine striker is a leader and his teammates recognise him as such.
“In my opinion, there is no discussion about Marcus Thuram either, a striker who I am crazy about because he is intelligent, knows the tempo of the game, knows how to free himself and attack the spaces, and always helps his teammates in the pressing phase”, he concluded.
Sacchi led Milan to the Serie A title and two European Cups, before reaching the 1994 World Cup Final with Italy, ultimately losing to Brazil in a penalty shootout.