Former AC Milan and Inter Milan defender Fulvio Collovati believes it’s only a question of time before Suning sell the Nerazzurri.
Reporter: Simone Togna
Edited by: Nima Tavallaey Roodsari
Speaking exclusively to SempreInter.com, the 1982 Italy FIFA World Cup Champion stated, that an ownership change at Inter Milan is more a question of when than if.
“We’re in a strange situation here in Milan. There’s talk of PIF buying AC Milan, and at Inter, Suning has to repay the OakTree loan.
“I am of the opinion that Suning doesn’t want to give Inter Milan up. However, as things stand it seems to be more an issue of kicking the can down the road.
“Extending, or refinancing the loan, but until when? I can’t tell you exactly when, but the future of Inter Milan in one, two, three, four years will not be with Suning.”
The former Inter Milan defender, believes it is clear that his former side are by far the best team in the Serie A.
However, he does find it somewhat surprising that the Nerazzurri failed to reach the Quarterfinals of the Champions League.
“Recently, I have commentated on Inter Milan games around 10 times, so I know them well. It is a team that for about 60/70 minutes plays at the highest level, if not more often so than all other European sides.
“In Italy they are clearly the best team. For about an hour they are the beauty of football. Then they spend a lot of energy, because their players participate in both phases.
“Their players insert themselves in the play a lot, look at Barella, Dimarco, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan. You saw this against both Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but also in the Serie A against Genoa and Napoli.
“Inter dominated against Napoli in the first half. Then in the second half they suffered a deserved equalizer by Napoli.
“Inter are a team that can compete with any team in Europe for 60/70 minutes, but then struggle due to losing energy.
“Therefore, it is no surprise that Inter dominates the Serie A because they are clearly superior domestically.
“However, I must say it is a little bit surprising that they failed to reach the final eight of the Champions League.”
The former Udinese and Genoa defender, believes the reason for the Nerazzurri’s Champions League exit was due to not killing off the game in the first leg at the San Siro.
“In the first leg Inter Milan could have scored two or three goals. However, instead the game ended 1-0.
“In the return leg they could have scored 2-1 through Barella and Thuram. But they were unable to.
“The games last 100 minutes, they suffered and conceded the equalizer immediately after scoring.
“Inter have to measure themselves with this physical and emotional situation. If you don’t take advantage of all your chances, you find yourself in trouble.”
The former Italy defender turned pundit, believes Inter did well in the transfer market last summer although they could have done better in the attacking department.
“You can’t accuse the club at all for their dealings in the summer transfer window. They gave Simone Inzaghi a different squad. Look at Carlos Augusto and Davide Frattesi.
“Maybe they could have done better in attack, especially looking at Alexis Sanchez. However, you have to remember that no Italian club can afford to have a €40 million striker on the bench.”
Collovati was asked if not extending the contract of Edin Dzeko was a mistake.
“This is a player I really like a lot. However, you have to take the will of the player into account. Evidently, he was unhappy with being a second choice striker.
“Furthermore, maybe the offer wasn’t financially satisfactory either. Also, we must remember that during this time, Inter wanted to sign Lukaku.”
Collovati was then asked if Inter made a mistake not signing a striker during the January transfer window.
“Inter were not able to [sign a striker], but more importantly, no-one else in Italy was able to either. Such is the state of Italian football today.
“You have to sell a player first to be able to act on the transfer market. Last season this was the case with Onana, we’ll see what happens this summer.
“Under Suning, Inter cannot allow themselves to spend crazy money in the transfer window. We have to underline how well the club and the coach have all done to get the best out of certain players.”
Collovati, who won the Serie A with AC Milan back in the 1978/1979 season, also shared his thoughts on the Francesco Acerbi – Juan Jesus racism row.
The Napoli defender alleged that the former Lazio defender had racially abused him on the pitch. Acerbi denied this and was found not guilty by the FIGC after an investigation took place.
However, the matter did not end there as both Juan Jesus and Napoli have reacted angrily to the verdict.
“I got to know Francesco Acerbi at a charity event. He is a good lad, however, occasionally you say things on the pitch that you don’t mean.
“We live in a world where you can’t hide behind what you say on the pitch. Were his comments proven to have taken place, it would be serious.
“Were that the case, he would have been in the wrong, and it would have only been right that he pays for his crimes.
“However, we must be careful. Let’s not go overboard, the punishment has to fit the crime. If Acerbi has made a mistake, it is only right that he is punished. Racism must be fought.”
Collovati, who joined Inter from cross-town rivals AC Milan in the summer of 1982, was then asked to compare Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli, with Simone Inzaghi’s soon to be Serie A champions.
“They are two teams that have dominated the Serie A, and they have done so not by chance. They express themselves, more or less, using the same style of play.
“Maybe Inter have more power down the flanks with Dumfries, Dimarco and Darmian, while Napoli attack the depth of the pitch more.
“Osimhen became the Serie A top goalscorer with 26 goals, this season Latauro is already on 23.”
Collovati was then asked if Inter Milan can retain their Serie A title next season.
“In Milan there is a superior habit of winning than in Naples but the problem remains the same for everyone.
“Napoli sold Kim Min-Jae, changed their coach without strengthening their squad. De Laurentiis made errors, and in Milan they hope these mistakes wont be repeated [at Inter].
“They say that at least one big name player could be sold. Who will be sacrificed by Inter this summer in the transfer window?”
Collovati, who also won the Mitropa Cup with AC Milan during his six season stint with the Rossoneri, also gave Simone Inzaghi’s tenure to date at Inter Milan a mark from 1-10.
“There were protests during first year in charge due to AC Milan winning the Serie A. Last year, when he was close to winning the Champions League, the fans wanted the Scudetto.
“This year he will win the league, but the Champions League exit makes its presence felt. There is a somewhat contradictory spirit surrounding his tenure.
“However, I give him a good 7.5 out of 10 rating, which would have been an 8/10 if Inter had eliminated Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
“We cannot forget the finals he has won. Last year he won two out of three. He is a coach that has done his job, and it is only right that Inter hang on to him tightly,” Collovati concluded.
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