Javier Zanetti delivers Inter Milan warning
Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti has told his teammates that they will need to show the qualities that they demonstrated during their treble winning season if they are to retain the Serie A title this year.
The Argentine defender believes his side has a fight on their hands this season and said, “We need to get accustomed to fighting, as there are still a lot of matches to be played.”
Speaking about the weekend match with Juventus, Zanetti said, “I think Inter played a good match, finding a strong Juventus side that defended well. They did not let us play our normal style of football."
The full-back also praised Lazio for their start so far this season. "Lazio deserves to be leading the league at the moment because they are playing well every week. We must remember with Roma that last season, they were in the same position, and were fighting
with us for the title on the last day of the season.”
Inter has had a mixed start to the season under new manager Rafa Benitez. They have taken 11 points from six games and are in second place by virtue of their goal difference.
Napoli and rivals AC Milan are on the same points as Inter, but Zanetti believes it will be tougher to regain the title this season.
Zanetti hinted that Roma, AC Milan and Lazio would challenge this season and the Argentine hinted that Juventus would also feature. "Juventus will also be in the mix and it will be an equal league," he said.
After their fantastic year last season, Zanetti hopes that his side shows the same commitment and endeavour that saw them win a treble for the first time in their history.
Benitez will hope that he can match Jose Mourinho by lifting a number of trophies while he is at the club. His captain’s fighting mentality may be crucial in the outcome.
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