Materazzi on Serie A: “Thuram is the strongest, not Lautaro”

Interviewed by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Marco Materazzi gave a clear overview of the current hierarchies in Serie A and international football, also touching on topics related to the French national team and its coach Zidane.

The opening topic is the strongest player in the Italian league. For Materazzi, there is no doubt: “The strongest because he is proving to be so. Period.” The reference is to Marcus Thuram, not Lautaro. “This time Zidane couldn’t not call him up: he would have had to put a blindfold on. It’s a pity that Marcus had to stop: he against Pio would have been a great challenge at San Siro.”

On the coach of France, Materazzi explained why in his opinion Zidane waited for this bench: “In my opinion, he was waiting for France, because he knew and knows how strong it is: the only one that can put Spain in trouble. I don’t know if it’s the strongest in the world, but it’s the richest.” Zidane — he adds — had three teams available, and could have afforded to keep the strongest player in Serie A, Thuram, on the bench.

On the comparison between France and Italy, the judgment is peremptory: “It would be enough to name names: Barcola, Doué, Olise, Rabiot. But in addition, compared to today’s rebuilding Italy, they also have the experience of a team that has been playing together for a long time.”

Then space for Pio Esposito, striker of the National Team: “He is proving he knows what he’s doing and scoring a lot, even for the National Team. You just have to know that even with the blue shirt he will have ups and downs, just like at Inter.”

On Diouf, France’s winger, Materazzi points out which role is best to claim: “For me, he’s more of a winger, I like how he beats his man, but with Zidane it’s better to say he feels like a midfielder: displacing someone like Olise seems tough to me.”

Closing dedicated to Cissé, Milan player: “I still haven’t figured out his role, because he’s so strong that he can play in any attacking position — left wing, right wing, false nine — and also in midfield, as a mezzala. He does everything, and does it all well.”