Arrigo Sacchi now has few doubts about Inter.

Arrigo Sacchi spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport: "I expected a spectacular challenge and I was not wrong. It è seemed to me a duel between boxers of the highest level: one throws a blow, the other parries it and goes on the assault with courage. Never a moment of respite in Atalanta-Inter, except at the end of the first half, when physical energies logically dropped. For the rest, però, battle in every area of the field: struggles to regain the ball, runs along the flanks, good plots of play when it è dealt with building a more articulated maneuver. In short, everything a soccer fan wants to see when he goes to the stadium or sits in an armchair to watch a game in front of the television. All in all, I think Inter’s success is deserved: they did more in the offensive zone, è they were more dangerous than Atalanta, they proved to be superior. From Gasperini’s team, I admit, I expected something more; è it lacked the spark that so many times, in recent years, we have seen and admired. Still, it remains a great team and, despite the defeat and the six-point gap from Inter in the standings, it must’be a pride for the whole cityà of Bergamo".

"From the beginning it’s been noticed that it was going to be a very physical match, I would say English-style. And that’è è it was. There’è è was also some forbidden shots, and that’’&must’& definitely be censured. In fact, però the two coaches set the challenge on this level, and Inter showed that it had energy to spare. It immediately pushed on the’accelerator and Thuram hit a post after a stupendous collective action. Atalanta responded with a’chance for Pasalic, for’the Bergamasks seemed less brilliant than usual. In the second half, first Carlos Augusto’s goal, then Ederson’s expulsion, and then Lautaro’s double sealed the deal. Inter on the whole proved to be a very experienced formation, which knows how to manage the many moments of the match, understands when è it is the case to accelerate or when, instead, you have to slow down a bit’. And then, in the middle of the field and in attack, Simone Inzaghi really has a lot of quality’. Against Atalanta he moved the ball well, with excellent speed, actions that start on the right and end on the left as in the best soccer manual. It is difficult to find a weakness in this Inter team that, now, runs away in the standings and is a strong candidate for the Scudetto. Having won at home against Atalanta è a remarkable show of strength, also because it sent the Bergamaschi to minus six points. And Napoli, stopped on a draw in Venice, è now at minus three. I do not want to say that for Inzaghi’s team the path is downhill, also because it has so many commitments and, especially those in the Champions League, are dangerous and take away physical and nervous energy. Forò it must be admitted that the spurt of Lautaro and companions è of the important ones, becauseé they leave on the spot the opponents, who now have the task of absorbing the blow and get back on the pedal".

"In my opinion only international matches can restrain Inter, but if Inzaghi (and I have no doubt about that) will be able (and I have no doubt about that) to dose the strength of his boys well, I believe that the Nerazzurri can get to the bottom with their arms raised. I say this becauseé although there are still several obstacles to be faced, I consider Inter the strongest in Italy, both for the construction of the group and for its exemplary management by the coach. È a team in constant growth and this’shows that the work of the coach è evident from match to match".

"Napoli certainly missed an’opportunity by drawing at home to Venezia. Everyone expected the success of the partenopei. È it is true that it had several opportunitiesà to score, è it is true that it tried in every way, but Conte’s team absolutely must regain that fluidityà of maneuver that characterized it in the first part of the season. I realize that this is not an easy thing, becauseé now the fatigue of the championship is being felt and to me Napoli è seemed quite tired, forò è the only way to try to get to the Scudetto goal. The break for the commitments of the national teams can’be a period during which Conte has a chance to recharge the batteries of his boys ahead of the final sprint. In the past month and a half, Napoli has collected five draws, one win and one defeat. A turnaround is needed, although I remain convinced of the fact that so far, because of the personnel available and the disposals in the January market, Conte’s players have already built a small sporting feat and for this they should be applauded".