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.