Sabatini on Inter's Title Charge, Como Clash, and Italy's National Team
Inter Milan's path to the Serie A title faces a significant test this weekend against Como, in a match that could be decisive for the Scudetto race, according to former Italian football executive Walter Sabatini. In a wide-ranging interview, Sabatini discussed the title race, the upcoming clash, and the state of the Italian national team.
With a significant lead at the top of Serie A, Inter Milan are heavy favorites for the Scudetto. However, Sabatini, a seasoned football executive, cautioned against premature celebrations. He acknowledged the statistics and arithmetic point to an Inter victory, but stressed the unpredictability of the final seven matches. "The matches must be played," Sabatini said, referencing the legendary 1998/99 season where Sven-Goran Eriksson's Lazio famously lost a nine-point lead. "There is no longer a guaranteed opponent you are sure to beat."
The most immediate challenge is Sunday's fixture against Como, a match Sabatini described as "the most difficult of the remaining seven." He framed it as a tactical duel between Como's Cesc Fabregas and Inter's manager, Daniele De Rossi, who replaced Simone Inzaghi earlier this season. Sabatini praised Inter's form, crediting Lautaro Martinez as a key figure, while also lauding Fabregas's impact on Como's attractive, risk-taking style of play. "Como plays a type of football we all know, they take risks, they challenge fate and the laws of physics," he noted.
Shifting to the Italian national team, Sabatini was asked about the disparity in performance between Inter's players at club level and their form for the Azzurri. He rejected the premise that the Inter players underperformed for Italy, but conceded that a penalty shootout defeat in a crucial playoff can taint perceptions. He strongly criticized the fans who booed Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni in a recent Italy match, praising Bastoni's mental strength and the support he received from his San Siro teammates.
Sabatini also commented on the Azzurri's broader struggles, suggesting the team often approaches decisive matches with fear and pressure, unlike opponents who play with freedom. He advocated for a more permanent national team structure, suggesting the appointment of a sporting director to foster a consistent, day-to-day identity, moving away from a last-minute "all-star team" model. On the topic of the national team manager, Sabatini expressed admiration for Antonio Conte's recent work at Napoli and said he would have no issue with the former Inter and Juventus manager being a candidate for the Italy job, praising Conte's recent public ambition as an "act of courage."
