Former Inter goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca had high praise for Andre Onana and believes in the team’s chances in the Champions League this season.
Speaking to Sempre Inter, Pagliuca first reflected on Onana’s performance against Porto and his value to Inter.
“Against Porto, in my opinion, he was the best player on the pitch. I really liked his performance a lot.
“The sense of security he spreads, his ball distribution, rushing out, the decisive saves, especially the ones that look easy but in reality are very difficult, when the ball bounced around in front of you.
“He really did well, he gave me a sense of security. He had a fantastic game.”
He was asked if Inter should consider selling the goalkeeper in the face of a lucrative offer and if Empoli’s Guglielmo Vicario could be a good replacement.
“Vicario is a very good goalkeeper, he will be the most sought after goalkeeper of the transfer window.
“Having said this, if a foreign club were to arrive and offer €100m, Inter would do well to sell him. Otherwise, unless a huge big money offer were to arrive, I think Inter will keep him.”
The former Inter goalkeeper touched on the twilight of Samir Handanovic’s career with the club.
“If I have understood Inzaghi’s mentality correctly, Handanovic will play in the Coppa Italia and a couple of matches in the Serie A.
“He will still give satisfactory performances, but the club’s decision is clear. Handanovic has done some extraordinary things. He no longer is what he once was, but he remains a seasoned goalkeeper. It’s only right that he plays in the Coppa Italia.”
Pagliuca spoke about the idea of Handanovic ending his Inter career with a Coppa Italia win.
“I wish that for him. He deserved to after many years at Inter to win trophies, like the Scudetto a few years back. He could have won Serie A last season too but in the end the Nerazzurri won the domestic cups and not the league.”
He commented on if Inter will finish in the top four this season.
“I think so. I will also say this, I believe Juventus can as well despite the 15-point penalization. They are a team in form who are getting back on track. The Bianconeri are also among the favourites to win the Europa League as well.”
Finally, Pagliuca discussed Inter’s chances in the Champions League this season.
“It was a good draw. But Benfica are a very dangerous side and are a very good team that can go all the way in this competition. Having said that, if I was Inter’s coach, I would have chosen to play Benfica or Chelsea.
“Then if you go through, you play Napoli or Milan, which means you avoid Real Madrid, Man City and Bayern Munich. The draw went very well even if it will be very hard and this must be reiterated.
“Both times Inter have faced Milan in the knockout stages of the Champions League they have been knocked out. Napoli are a team that we all know, that are dominating in Italy and are devastating.
“But having said that of course you can dream big, also because the other half of the draw is much more complicated.
“I remember through the years how sometimes a team won the Champions League like this. Then of course, it is decisive to be in form at the right time.
“Right now, Inter are experiencing a decline in all competitions they’re competing in. But now the real objective, aside from finishing in the top four, is to try to go all the way in the Champions League as well as the Coppa Italia.”