Simoni slams dull Inter

Ex-Inter Coach Gigi Simoni knows too well the “sense of panic” that tends to surround the club and points out “this team has never played well.”

Before Roberto Mancini took charge, Simoni was the closest tactician to a title for the Nerazzurri under Massimo Moratti’s reign, losing out to Juventus in controversial fashion in 1998.

Now Inter look set for a third straight title, but are just one point clear of Roma ahead of their trip to Parma. “I think Inter and Roma will both win their games and the Nerazzurri will be the champions. Both should be given credit for a great campaign, as there really have been minimal differences between them.”

Mancio’s men have squandered an 11-point lead since February and the 2-2 draw with Siena brought back memories for Simoni. “It has happened several times. The panic sets in and it surrounds the club, from the team to the fans, who realise the side is in difficulty. “Having said that, the job is practically done now. Parma are to be respected, but even an Inter squad playing at 60 per cent capability should still win that game. They just have to relax and realise they are clearly stronger.”

There has been much debate over the past week on who ‘deserves’ the Scudetto and Simoni is positively scathing of his former club. “This Inter side has never played well,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport. “My team played the counter-attack back in 1998 and I was criticised, whereas now they call it intelligent tactics.

“I envy Luciano Spalletti, who has the perfect players for the kind of football he favours and the style I too would have wanted. I like Roma a great deal and you can see they have less pressure, take things less seriously and don’t make such a drama out of events. The credit goes to Spalletti and the club.

“I would stay up in the evenings watching the football talk shows on television and at times would even ring up live to laugh off certain ridiculous theories. I made fun of the whole process, whereas Mancini does little to break the tension.”(source:channel4)