Inter face Juventus in the Derby d’Italia on Sunday and Edin Dzeko admits he could have played the game in a Bianconeri shirt: ‘Roma had sold me to Juve.’
In the summer, the Bosnian striker joined the Nerazzurri from Roma, but he could have signed with the Bianconeri one year earlier.
“I don’t look to the past and I am happy at Inter,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Roma opened talks with Juventus and I knew nothing about it, I entered the scene later on. The move collapsed because Roma didn’t find my replacement.”
The Nerazzurri host Juventus at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday, with the Bianconeri travelling to Milan on the back of four Serie A wins in a row. Massimiliano Allegri’s side are ten points behind leaders Napoli and three behind Inter.
“You don’t win the title in October or November. Inter and Juventus know it well,” said Dzeko.
“However, if you lose points now, it becomes difficult to recover.
“I scored my first goal in Italy against [Giorgio] Chiellini, but it’s hard to play against him, he’s one of the best defenders of the last ten years.
“On Sunday, I can do without goals, I’d like to win even without scoring.
“We need to nullify what they are able to do very well, namely counter-attacks.
“This Inter side is the most offensive team I’ve played in, together with Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City,” the striker continued.
“We attack with many men, but we concede more goals than we should, that’s why we need to improve.”
Dzeko has already found the net seven times in 11 appearances so far this season and Inter don’t seem to miss Romelu Lukaku who returned to Chelsea in a €115m deal.
“He made important things here and Inter must thank him,” the 35-year-old claimed.
“He brought the Scudetto along with Conte and then he made his choice. Honestly, I always look ahead.
“I am here at Inter to win, but it’s never easy. Had Inter kept Conte and Lukaku and the same players of last year, they wouldn’t be sure to win the title anyway.”
Intervista esclusiva a Dzeko: "A Milano per vincere lo scudetto. Tra Inter e Juve chi perde rischia" https://t.co/0f5LteVsnj
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) October 21, 2021
Like many others, I think, I’m quite impressed with not (only) the goal tally, but the effective authority, coaching and leadership Dzeko displays through a clear and sober vision.
The fact he doesn’t feel he needs to score, he gets them in. That’s something he can add to Lautaro, struggling with this very aspect of the lead strikership.
dzeko is such a professional – always in shape, always with the right mentality. Speaks italian, good attitude. He is a legend in Italy.