Paolo Di Canio gives Inter advice on how they should face Liverpool in the Champions League. ‘Edin Dzeko can draw Virgil van Dijk out of position.’
The first leg is at San Siro next week and the Nerazzurri are the underdogs against Jurgen Klopp’s giants, but former Premier League star Di Canio – now a pundit on English football for Sky Sport Italia – believes it’s by no means Mission: Impossible.
“Had it been in October or November, when the English side tend to give their best, I’d have bet less on Inter,” Di Canio told La Gazzetta dello Sport magazine SportWeek.
“Inter do still have an international level this season, as they only lost against Real Madrid due to a lack of clinical finishing, not certainly ideas or style.
“At this stage of the season, Liverpool have some small cracks in the armour that can be exploited. The Liverpool of two years ago had an impenetrable defence, as Virgil van Dijk had improved everyone around him. Since returning from injury, he’s not the same player and therefore the whole team concedes more.
“Liverpool keep conceding the same dangerous opportunities nowadays, vertical balls behind the defenders, who then start their runs late. That lack of focus is where Inter can hurt them.
“If you also look at Van Dijk’s body language, he used to move his arms to bring the full-backs tighter, but now he just flails his arms, complaining and looking frustrated with his teammates.”
Di Canio maintains current Serie A leaders Inter can have their say in the Champions League against Liverpool by playing to their own strengths.
“Ivan Perisic and Denzel Dumfries will have to do extraordinary work, pushing, pressing, trying to torture the opposition full-backs, but also then get straight back into position, otherwise Liverpool will skip the midfield and send Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah in one-on-one situations.
“Inter must have the courage to pass it around in Liverpool’s face, but without losing balls cheaply, otherwise it’s goodbye.
“Hakan Calhanoglu and Marcelo Brozovic cannot afford these banal, pointless touches. They must remain efficient and clinical.
“I can imagine Edin Dzeko dropping into a deeper position and going slightly off centre, which would force Van Dijk out of position and Lautaro Martinez to cut inside and do damage.”
Di Canio: “Inter, devi avere il coraggio di palleggiare in faccia al Liverpool” https://t.co/B4xbftyv0D
— FcInterNews.it (@FcInterNewsit) February 12, 2022
I’m afraid Inter will go out this round. it’s an improvement on the last few seasons at least.
Well said but that is comical. So, while Inter Milan will be doing all these things, Liverpool fc as a team will remain spellbound and no reaction. I hope you realize that Liverpool fc is not made up of only VVD. Then the question is, “what if VVD doesn’t play at all?”
The first leg will be tight,I see a 0-0,or 1-0 to Inter.Either way,will be a tactical battle.
Barella will be surely missed in the two matches! Ge did well most of the season then pressed self-destruct with yhat stupid red card afainst real!
No they dont have a chance, it is liverpool not some mediocre seria A team that won seria A 30 years ago
Inter should focus on the league and not waste energy on the cl and coppa Italia.
They have like 10% chance against Liverpool over 2 legs.