Serena to La Repubblica: “Without Lautaro, Thuram, Zielinski and Mkhitaryan are the leaders. Pio Esposito needs crosses”

Aldo Serena‘s analysis comes after the trip to Rotterdam, where the former striker attended the match between Feyenoord and Inter in person. In the interview given today to La Repubblica, he outlined the coordinates of the afternoon clash against Como.

“At San Siro Inter will have to play like this, alternating between a low block and high pressing, with humility and cohesion. Como does not forgive,” he declared. On the danger posed by the opponents: “From Cunha and his teammates, they have a short passing game that destabilizes, divides, and breaks you. It starts from the back, then interrupts the web of passes to play vertically. Inter’s goalkeeper must not make mistakes when coming out.”

On the coach of the Larians, Serena has no doubts: “Fabregas will seriously try, also because he has never beaten Inter. He is an enlightened coach. One minute after the 9-1 in Lens, he was already working to make his players forget that exceptional result.” When asked if Como could take inspiration from Milan in the derby, the answer is clear: “They won’t take inspiration from anyone, they have their own idea of football. Milan was good at taking advantage of a disjointed Inter.”

In the absence of Lautaro, who leads the Nerazzurri? “Technically, Thuram. He knows how to make the team rise. In terms of leadership, Zielinski is very important. And then there is Mkhitaryan, experienced in football and in life.” On Esposito, scorer in the Rotterdam match, and on Douvikas, top scorer in Europe: “Pio is very good at some things, less good at others. To help him, you need speed on the wings and crosses. Douvikas is clear-headed in the box, looks for depth and does not end up offside, because his teammates serve him at the right moment.”

Chivu and Fabregas both come from a generation used to football played at a fast pace. Serena sees this as an advantage: “Unlike older colleagues, they know how to use the ends of matches to try out tactics and manage energy, helped by the five substitutions. And they don’t complain about it.” On Chivu’s pre-match silence compared to Fabregas’s statements, the former striker comments: “Every coach must be true to their own character. These seem like choices consistent with their respective personalities.”

How important is today’s result? “Very. Inter must show the fans and themselves that the derby was not the real team. For Como, it would be another step in their growth, and they would stay close to the top.”