Bianchi: Inter first in the standings, that's what matters

Ottavio Bianchi, a former player and coach of both teams, gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of Roma–Inter. The coach analyzed the current form of both teams and the prospects for the match.

“They started off very well and this is a high-level match with two teams in great shape. Roma is not just doing well, they’re doing extremely well; and Inter is doing what’s expected of them. How do you prepare for a big match like this? It prepares itself. It’s the ‘easy’ matches that require a lot of sacrifice, even psychologically.”

On the subject of Inter’s defense, Bianchi played it down: “I don’t see the coach worried about this. Or if he is, he doesn’t show it; these are things that stay in the locker room and it’s right for a coach to create ‘smoke screens’. Anyway, they’re top of the table and the results are proving him right, regardless of everything, and that’s the only thing that matters. Besides, being up there, in any way, is always a big advantage.”

The coach preferred not to get into comparisons between individual strikers: “I remember being a coach and you never talk about individuals. If Malen and Lautaro are two certainties, it’s because the team puts them in a position to do well.”

On Chivu, Bianchi expressed confidence: “Can he start a winning cycle? Yes. Even though in Italy it’s not like in other countries, here it’s become much more difficult, especially in recent years. The Italian league is unique even if it’s no longer top tier like it once was.”

The former player and coach identified two surprises, one for each side: “On the Roma side I say Lulli, because no one expected him to have this consistency. For Inter I say Diouf, although I reserve the right to review both judgments later, after 20 games. Everything can change… Anyone can play two, three, four good matches. You have to keep it up until the end. And it’s better for both teams to keep their feet on the ground.”

Finally, on the possibility that this is already a title clash, Bianchi was cautious: “No, no. After four matches? Too soon. The season has just started and I’ve always seen Serie A as a stage race, like the Giro d’Italia. And if I said so, the coaches of Roma and Inter would get angry, as would those of the other teams. Someone will get back into the race and I’m thinking of Napoli, for example. But in football you never know. Everything can change from one moment to the next.”