Paolo Di Canio believes new Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is at the same level as Erling Haaland and explains how Inter can eliminate Liverpool from the Champions League.
Serie A resumes on Saturday with many changes in several teams after the January transfer window.
All eyes will be on new Juventus striker Vlahovic who has moved to Turin on a permanent €80m deal from Fiorentina.
Although many see Paulo Dybala as the perfect striking partner for the 22-year-old, Massimiliano Allegri could pick Alvaro Morata against Hellas Verona on Sunday night.
“It’s a reasonable choice, Morata is a fighter, but he is a centre forward,” Di Canio told Il Corriere dello Sport newspaper.
“To me, Vlahovic is at the same level as Haaland and it makes no sense to deploy him as a support striker. Morata doesn’t have the footballing intelligence to cover that role. Morata and Vlahovic can play together only with a suitable tactical system.
“Given the midfielders that Juventus posses, I think Dybala is the perfect attacking partner for Vlahovic.”
Despite a scintillating January transfer window, Di Canio believes Juventus have no chances to re-enter the Serie A title race: “There are too many strong teams who are recovering their stars,” the former West Ham striker said.
What about Inter? They are the Serie A leaders and will face Liverpool in less than two weeks in the Champions League Round of 16.
“It’s a terrifying opponent, but Inter must be fearless and maintain possession as Liverpool tend to ‘fall asleep,'” said Di Canio.
“It’s a shame for Nicolò Barella’s suspension, a rottweiler that Inter would need.”
The Italy international was given a two-match ban after collecting a straight red card in the last group stage game against Real Madrid.
Hard to judge Haaland and Vlahovic. Neither have played in CL knockout rounds (certainly not after QF), and neither have played in an international tournament with their national team. I guess the best indication is that Haaland does well against Bayern and they are a very good side- but they are attack minded so always leave a few gaps at the back
haaland scores 108 goals in 101 dortmund games. he is putting even ronaldo numbers at similar age to sleep