Italy coach Roberto Mancini says an Inter defeat in the Derby d’Italia could spell the end of their title hopes.
The Azzurri coach give an interview to Il Corriere dello Sport, and believes that should the Nerazzurri lose in the Derby d’Italia to Juve, and Lazio secure victory against Bologna, it would be hard for Inter to win the title.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini says an Inter defeat in the Derby d’Italia could spell the end of their title hopes.
The Azzurri coach give an interview to Il Corriere dello Sport, and believes that should the Nerazzurri lose in the Derby d’Italia to Juve, and Lazio secure victory against Bologna, it would be hard for Inter to win the title.
“If Lazio beat Bologna in the meantime, then it becomes very difficult for Inter. It would be tough for the Nerazzurri to recover from such a gap, despite having the game in hand with Sampdoria,” Mancini told Il Corriere.
“Chasing teams means being under pressure, and you can no longer make mistakes.”
Juventus have come under criticism for their performance in the 1-0 defeat to Lyon, but Mancini dismisses this.
“I don’t think Maurizio Sarri is in great difficulty, he is still leading in the league, and he can bring Juve into the quarter final of the Champions League, even if they lost to Lyon.
“They are still also in the Italian Cup. After many years of success, Juve may have problems, but it doesn’t depend on Sarri, otherwise the same team would always win, everywhere.”
Lazio are serious contenders to win their first Scudetto since 2000, when Mancini was part of that Biancocelesti squad, so would Lazio be the Italian equivalent of Leicester City's 2015-16 success?
“Claudio Ranieri beat everyone, he won the league by wiping out the competition, and believe me, in the Premier League it is not easy to win against Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
“Serie A is still open and there are three teams in the running. It will be a good sprint to the end.”
Mancini was asked for his opinion on VAR, which is dividing Italy.
“I have to quote myself again. When Maurizio Mosca and Aldo Biscardi, many years ago, asked for slow motion replays, I said: ‘you will see that one day we will also fight in front of the TV. Like when we saw pictures in the bar: ten fans, ten versions of the same case.’
“Today there is VAR and we are still discussing it.”
Mancini is set to lead Italy into Euro 2020, can they win it?
“I want to try, of course, but the competition is very high. The national teams that have renewed their squads are now the strongest: Germany, Holland, Spain, and then there’s also England and France.
“We will try to enjoy it, we are improving a lot.”