Former Inter midfielder Paolo Stringara believes that the Nerazzurri should set their ambition to winning their Champions League group after their opponents were announced in yesterday’s draw.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster TMW Radio, as reported by FCInter1908, the 58-year-old gave the view that, having been drawn in Group D alongside Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Sheriff Tiraspol, the Nerazzurri should hope to finish top of their group.
Despite last season’s Scudetto triumph, Inter’s showing in the Champions League group stage was their worst in the past three campaigns, finishing bottom of their group having at least qualified for the Europa League via a third place group finish in the two seasons beforehand.
The expectation this year will be that the club can do better and qualify for the knockout rounds, with new head coach Simone Inzaghi having reached the round of sixteen with his previous club Lazio last season already.
Stringara believes that the Nerazzurri not only can achieve this, but can do so top of their group given their opposition.
“On paper, Inter have gotten a good group,” he explained, “If you have the ambition to go as far as possible, Shakhtar cannot scare you. Real Madrid are also not the same team as they were during their golden era.”
“They have to aim to finish first,” he said of the Nerazzurri, “Real Madrid are a more beatable team now. They don’t have to start thinking about second place.”
Turning to new signings Edin Dzeko and Joaquin Correa, he stated that “They will be able to do well slongside Lautaro, these are two playerswho, in addition to scoring, love to help their team-mates score and put them in good positions. These are more technical solutions.”
Asked whether he considers Inter striker Lautaro Martinez an out-and-out centre-forward, he stated, “Absolutely yes. Of the three, for me it is him – he has the right desire as a first striker. Dzeko is one who talks with the team – I believe that there are multiple possibilities.
