MY ACCOUNT
Julio Cesar believes his former club Inter Milan have “all the possibilities” to retain their Serie A title after a productive weekend for the Nerazzurri in the Scudetto race.
Simone Inzaghi’s side beat Hellas Verona on Saturday before seeing title rivals Napoli lose at home to Fiorentina and league leaders Milan draw 0-0 at Torino.
Inter now sit second, ahead of Napoli on goal difference and two points behind Milan, but with a game in hand on both and a superior goal difference.
Speaking courtesy of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Cesar compared the current Inter team to the one he played in, which won a treble in the 2009-10 season.
“Since Inter won the title [last season], Juventus’ streak has been interrupted,” he said. “When I was at Inter, Juventus was the team to beat. Now, after the title, responsibility always increases.
“Today, the club has a wonderful structure at La Pinetina. I had the opportunity to visit the place. Everything has changed. Having said that, I think that the football played on the pitch makes the difference.
“This championship is very balanced. Inter is in second place behind Milan, the season is still open.
“We have Milan, Inter and Napoli, which are all in contention for the title. There are six games left and Inter have all the possibilities to win the Scudetto. Inter is a strong team, although they had peaks and valleys, but I guess this is normal during a season.”
Cesar also had words of praise for current Inter stopper Samir Handanovic, believing that a lack of Champions League football during his time at the club has led to people underestimating the Slovenian.
“I think Samir has shown his value since he joined Inter,” he said. “However, his quality was not always recognised because Inter was out of the Champions League for many years.
“Playing in the Champions League allows you to step up your game. Samir has brought the right confidence, he has become the captain and the leader of the team. Inter must be ready to give credit to the work that Samir has done.”
Inter have been linked with a move for Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana at the end of the season, but Cesar is unsure if the Cameroonian would displace Handanovic.
He added: “Even if a younger keeper will join the club – I am not sure about Onana’s age [26] but I imagine he is a young talent – Samir is still a keeper who knows the club’s environment very well.
“Even if Onana will join Inter, Handanovic will be the first choice. Winning the title could also give him the confidence in persuading the club to be their first choice also for next year. He is talented and he keeps himself physically fit, so he could be the first goalkeeper for the next two years.”
