Inter Milan & Germany Legend Calls Nerazzurri ‘A Top Side In Serie A & Champions League’ & Praises Ex AC Milan Star | OneFootball

Legendary former midfielder Lothar Matthaus feels that Inter Milan are a “top side” both in Serie A and the Champions League.

Matthaus spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. He also called midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu “fundamental” for the Nerazzurri.

Former midfielder Matthaus certainly knows something about being a part of a formidable Inter team.

The German icon played for the Nerazzurri for four seasons. He was at the club between 1988 and 1992.

And Matthaus won the Serie A title with Inter.

The former Bayern Munich man proved to be a talismanic figure at the heart of the Nerazzurri midfield.

Now, Inter have another highly strong team.

The Nerazzurri won the Serie A title in dominant fashion last season. And this time around they are aiming to not only defend their domestic title, but also make a deep run in Europe.

Lothar Matthaus Calls Inter A “Top Side” In Italy & Europe

Former midfielder Matthaus hailed Inter’s “unique mix of experienced players and young talents.”

“And a coach who’s found the right formula.”

“They’re a top side across all positions,” Matthaus said. “In Europe, and not just in Italy.”

“I’m happy with the level my team has reached,” the former Inter midfielder went on. “But the work has been coming a long time, it’s certainly not new this year.”

“Inter have been competitive in Europe for a long time. They’re going to the next round in the Champions League without the playoffs, and they can make a deep run and go all the way.”

“And obviously they can win the Serie A title again,” Matthaus said. “Although this season has become a more exciting and balanced title race.”

Meanwhile, Matthaus predicted a tougher match for Inter against Bayer Leverkusen than they had against RB Leipzig.

“Leipzig are having a lot of problems,” the former German international noted.

“They’ve dropped a lot of points in the Bundesliga.”

“Bayer Leverkusen are more dangerous,” he argued. “For me they’re the only team with a chance of beating Bayern to the title.”

High Praise For Hakan Calhanoglu From Matthaus

Then, Matthaus had high praise for Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

“He’s the key player for Inter,” the former midfielder argued.

“Before coming to Inter he wasn’t decisive at this level. But evidently he found the perfect club for him.”

“There’s the right connection with the coach and his teammates. Everyone truly believes in Hakan, and that makes a difference.”

Matthaus said “It’s like when I was at Inter, the other players trusted me and they gave the ball to me, like they give it to Calha now.”

As far as the role of Simone Inzaghi in Calhanoglu’s growth, Matthaus argued that “Not only has he found the right position for him and made him perform at his best in the last year and a half.”

“He’s done what Julian Nagelsmann did with Toni Kroos at the last Euros,” Matthayus argued.

“He’s put him at the centre of everything. Simone’s told all the players, whatever their role, to always look for Calha first of all.”

And of Inter defender Yann Bisseck, Matthaus said that “I don’t see him in the headlines much.”

“But people are starting to talk about him seriously. Now he has months ahead of him where he can play more, and I’m sure Nagelsmann will call him up.”