Inter captain Samir Handanovic believes the 2021-22 Serie A title race will be ‘the most balanced in 10 years, with at least five candidates’ to win it.
Things have already changed just a few weeks after lifting the Serie A trophy, because Antonio Conte has been replaced by Simone Inzaghi, while Achraf Hakimi has moved to PSG.
“We felt wonderful after the Scudetto, but that is in the past now and we have a title to defend in what will be probably the most balanced league of the last 10 years,” Handanovic told Inter TV.
“I see at least five candidates for the victory and so many clubs have important new coaches at the helm. It’ll be exciting, but we are strong and can rely on our qualities.”
Inter aren’t the only side to have changed management, as Juventus brought back Max Allegri, Roma hired Jose Mourinho, Lazio drafted in Maurizio Sarri and Napoli signed Luciano Spalletti.
Curiously, Handanovic was briefly a teammate to new Inter boss Inzaghi, at the start of his Italian career with Lazio.
“It feels like the first day of school at the moment, but that’s normal in football. I do remember the Lazio experience, even though I was very young. There were so many players who went on to become coaches or sporting directors.
“I learned a great deal from Inzaghi, Angelo Peruzzi, Igli Tare, Fabio Liverani, Massimo Oddo, Paolo Di Canio, Marco Ballotta and more.
“What we can do now as players is help the coach to settle in and we can all do our best, every day.”