Inter Milan Vice-President Argues Nerazzurri ‘Responded’ To Juventus Draw In Serie A Win Vs Empoli – “Eyes On Napoli” | OneFootball

Inter Milan Vice-President Javier Zanetti feels that the Nerazzurri “responded” to their Derby d’Italia draw with Juventus by beating Empoli.

Speaking in a press conference, as reported by FCInter1908, the Inter Vice-President also gave his thoughts on the brewing title race with Napoli.

Inter’s Serie A clash with Juventus over the weekend was certainly a match of ups and downs.

The Nerazzurri had to settle for sharing the points with their bitter Derby d’Italia rivals.

But it certainly wasn’t a tight or cagey match. On the contrary, Sunday’s match was an eight-goal thriller that was surely one of the most entertaining encounters ever between Inter and Juventus.

But while it was certainly a thrilling match for the neutral, the Derby d’Italia did not leave either the Nerazzurri or the Bianconeri feeling completely satisfying.

For Inter, it left a particularly bitter aftertaste. They had led by two goals at one stage during the second half, but allowed that lead to slip through their fingers.

Zanetti: “Inter Responded To Derby D’Italia Disappointment Vs Empoli”

Both Inter and Juventus fell further behind Napoli by taking points off each other. Particularly after the Partenopei beat AC Milan this week.

But yesterday, the two teams responded in different fashion.

For the Bianconeri, it was another draw. They drew 2-2 against Parma, a much more disappointing result than taking a point away to Inter.

But Inter cruised to victory away to Empoli in their own midweek match.

“All the matches are tough, and they’re all close together,” said Inter Vice-President Zanetti.

“Yesterday was a must-win. And the team gave a great response.”

“We continue to think of ourselves as a team that wants to be competitive,” Zanetti said. “We always try to give our best.”

Of the title race with Napoli, the Inter Vice-President said that “I know how Antonio [Conte, Napoli and former Inter coach] works very well.”

“They’re doing very well,” Zanetti said of the Partenopei.

“But we’ll be right there with them. Matches between us are always close.”

“Both teams have great players,” Zanetti said. “We hope that we can compete with them right to the end.”

Of juggling Serie A and the Champions League, Zanetti said that “Inter can go all the way in all competitions.”

“We’re working on the issue of how many goals we’ve been conceding,” he added.

“The players know that we need to improve. We work every day to ensure that it doesn’t keep happening.”

Meanwhile, the Inter Vice-President also opened up about captain Lautaro Martinez’s seventh place finish in Ballon d’Or voting.

“We all expected he’d be in a higher position,” Zanetti admitted. “But that’s how these awards are.”

“Lautaro has to be calm about everything he’s doing with us and with Argentina.”