Ballon d’Or winning defender Fabio Cannavaro spoke to La Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Il Bianconero)
And revealed his thoughts on several topics, including this season’s Scudetto race, Milan’s victory in Derby Della Madonnina, Napoli forward Victor Osimhen and Juventus’ fortunes going forward.
The 2006 World Cup winner believes Luciano Spalletti-led Napoli can chase the club’s first Scudetto in more than thirty years after Milan toppled league leaders Inter at the San Siro over the weekend – blowing the title race wide open.
“I didn’t like the derby at all. First, inter controlled it but didn’t play well, then it relaxed a bit, and Milan overturned with the blows from a champion like Giroud, but I was not too fond of the teams.
“And also, thanks to the result, the championship is open.
“If I were Spalletti, I would have the team review the derby to get excited. To understand that the differences are not many.
“And that you can chase them. It’s a dream,” Cannavaro declared.
He then drew attention to Nigerian striker Osimhen, who has emerged as one of Serie A’s most effective hitmen.
Cannavaro believes Osimhen can grow leaps and bounds under the tutelage of veteran coach Spalletti.
Cannavaro explained: “He is a centre forward of absolute international level.
“If he is well, it is like starting every game with a goal. And then I think that Spalletti is the most experienced and best manager in Serie A.
“I like how he plays Serie A. because he prefers to have several men who are good at moving between the lines, outsiders skilled in one-on-one, and then one like Osimhen who gives depth and substance to the manoeuvre with his physicality.
“All without losing solidity in the defensive phase and fact boast the goalless beaten in the league.
“In addition, two significant players like Koulibaly and Anguissa are about to return, and the team becomes even trickier.
“I’m happy for my city, and I think Napoli has the numbers to aim for winning this championship.”
Vlahovic and Zakaria dispatched Hellas Verona with goalscoring debuts in the 2-0 victory at Allianz Stadium to get off to a flying start at their new club.
The duo’s addition to the club’s ranks has made the Bianconeri much more robust, says the legendary Italian centre-back.
“Surely, with the purchases on the market in January, the team has strengthened a lot.
“I think Allegri’s group can now maintain an average standing at the least, but it will be hard to recover all the points of disadvantage too as many as four teams that precede them.
“The Bianconeri can, however, become referees of the Scudetto. In the sense that Napoli and AC Milan have already faced their rivals in the return leg, drawing.
“While Inter will have to go to Turin in April and will face a stronger Juventus who will not be able to concede anything to centre the Champions League.”
With the loss against Milan, Inter, who sits first in the league with 53 points, has allowed Rossoneri.
And Napoli to narrow the gap to just one point at the top of the table.
Inter still have a game in hand. Their next Serie A outing to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona against Napoli.
It will prove crucial in the race for their second consecutive Scudetto.
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