Former Nerazzurri star ‘Spillo’ is confident: “Winning the league is extremely important; it’s the only way to overcome last season’s disappointments. But you can’t overlook the Champions League…”

Spillo knows a thing or two about Inter, goals, and trophies with a Nerazzurri twist. In the 1979–80 season, Alessandro Altobelli scored 15 goals—a tally that would eventually reach 209 in 466 appearances—and led that Inter team to the Scudetto, which is once again the primary goal. “The win over Lecce was another sign, if one were still needed. Inter is a well-built team; it’s at the top of the standings and has solidified that position, thanks in part to the recent results of the other two contenders up there. They’re always fighting for the top spot, and I hope this year doesn’t end like last season did. Right now, though, I’m sure all the fans appreciate the club’s work and the conduct of the players and the coach.”

Are you pleased with Chivu’s latest decisions?

“We’re talking about a former player who spent many years on the field and understands certain dynamics well. And let’s not forget that at Inter—even if it was just in the youth system—he had already coached, so he knows the Nerazzurri environment well. I don’t think there’s anything to criticize about him; on the contrary, we can only appreciate him. As of now, we can say that the club made the right choice, and he’s repaying that trust by doing an excellent job.”

And he’s bringing out the best in the new additions to the roster, especially Pio Esposito.

“I know him well—his family, his brothers—and I know what kind of personality that young man has and what kind of player he is. I was expecting him to break out at any moment. He’s the kind of player who gives his all, whether he starts or comes off the bench, even if it’s just for a few minutes. He’s always in the right place at the right time, and his goal against Lecce is proof of that. He’s carving out an important role for himself. Now he’s growing alongside Lautaro and Thuram, and in the future, he can only get better. Bringing him back to Milan was a great decision.”

In short, Inter’s attack is in good shape, while on the right, Dumfries has left a void that’s hard to fill…

“He should be back before long, but I wouldn’t rush things. I’d rather wait one more matchday to make sure he’s fully recovered and avoid any risk of a setback, so he’s 100 percent ready for the final stretch. Championships are won starting in March.”

The schedule from now until the end of the month includes Udinese and Pisa in the league, and Arsenal and Dortmund in the Champions League. Will they pull further ahead in the standings or secure a direct spot in the Round of 16?

“A club like Inter can’t decide how or in which competition to advance. This club always aims for everything—history proves it. Today, it’s first in the standings and has a manageable schedule ahead in the league, but we must never underestimate our opponents. Starting with Udinese, which is certainly no pushover. Then there’s Pisa, followed by Cremonese and Sassuolo. Let’s just say that in the next eight matches, Inter has two major Serie A clashes against Juventus and Milan, as well as other strong teams they can compete with to extend their lead even further. But there’s also the Champions League. So far in the league, Inter has shown it has a team up to the task, but it won’t be easy to keep playing so many matches. It will take great professionalism and a significant effort from everyone to ensure the team is always ready for all these commitments. But when a player joins Inter, he knows the mindset he needs to have, he knows what kind of legacy the club represents, and what results he’s expected to deliver.”

So is the Scudetto the main goal for this season?

“I think and hope this could be the right year to get back on track in Serie A and put last year’s disappointments behind us. As for the rest, we’ll take it one game at a time… But winning the Scudetto this year would be incredibly important. We’re in first place and have a squad that’s up to the task, so I say: let’s keep it up, giving our all in the league and then also in Europe. We’ll need to be very well prepared for Arsenal and Borussia; we know how important and valuable the Champions League is. Even from a financial standpoint…”