Former Inter star Wesley Sneijder suggests Liverpool are not as strong as Barcelona in 2010 and reveals a trick he used to approach European games during the Nerazzurri’s treble-winning campaign.
The former Netherlands international was one of Inter’s brightest stars in 2009-10 when the Serie A champions won the treble under José Mourinho. Tonight’s match between the Nerazzurri and Liverpool has brought comparisons with two games played by that Inter side in the knock-out phase in 2010, against Chelsea and Barcelona.
Both teams were favourites against the Nerazzurri, but Mourinho’s men still managed to beat them and win the Champions League in a Santiago Bernabeu Final against Bayern Munich.
Can Simone Inzaghi’s men aim for something similar this season? Is this Liverpool side comparable to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2010?
“No, I don’t think so,” Sneijder admitted in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Their playing style is very different and that Barcelona side had incredible players in every position.
“I expect an intense game tonight,” the former midfielder continued.
“Inter will need to cope with Liverpool’s intensity. The Reds are more accustomed to these games, while Inzaghi has just begun his path at Inter, but has already left his mark.”
How did Inter manage to win the treble in 2010? How did he prepare for games?
“I always used the same trick. Before each game, I thought that it could have been the last European match of the campaign. Somehow, it helped me to handle the pressure and pushed me to give my best.
“If I could, I’d tell Inter players to do the same, it’s helpful to remain focussed and keep a high pace.
“I knew Inzaghi as a player and I like him even more as a coach. It makes everything look so easy and I think that his best quality is humility. He is born to be a coach, he will do great things at Inter, I am sure about it.”
José Mourinho returned to San Siro as an Inter opponent for the first time last week. What does Sneijder feel seeing the Special One against the Nerazzurri?
“I’d like to see him only at Inter, Roma is not an easy place to handle, but I am sure the coach will make the best things for his team.”
Esclusiva, Sneijder gioca per noi Inter-Liverpool: "Questa Inter ricorda la mia. E vi spiego come si ferma Salah…" #UCL https://t.co/Chvs8efGSl
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) February 16, 2022
Robbed of the balon d’Or in 2010
Just like inwlesta was in 2014.
All for the Ronaldo and Messi fanboys