Ex-Inter star opens up about priority targets, predicts key player vs. Barcelona | OneFootball

Former Inter star Aldo Serena feels Marcus Thuram will be a key player in the Champions League semifinal against Barcelona and suggests the Nerazzurri prioritise Europe’s elite competition.

Inter are running for the treble in 2024-25, currently leading the Serie A table and having qualified for the Champions League and Coppa Italia semifinals.

The Nerazzurri recently secured a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and will meet La Liga giants Barcelona in the semis.

“Barcelona is a team that plays with a very high defensive line. That crush you, and cause you problems in the defensive phase,” Serena told Sempreinter.

“However, they are lacking somewhat from a defensive perspective. They concede a lot of space in areas where your attackers can hurt them.

“From this perspective, Marcus Thuram’s growth this season is fundamentally important. Given his speed, he could be a decisive weapon for Inter.”

The Nerazzurri have always been the bookmakers’ favourites to win Serie A and have quickly secured leading positions on Sporting Post for the Champions League victory, thanks to their strong performances in Europe and solid defence. But can they aim to win the treble?

Ex-Inter star opens up about priority targets, predicts key player vs. Barcelona

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich (C) controls the ball under pressure from Marcus Thuram and Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I don’t know. Matches like the ones against Bayern Munich are exhausting. You don’t have an ounce of energy left in you when the final whistle arrives,” Serena argued.

“You have to recharge psychologically as well as physically. Sunday, another high-profile match awaits against a Bologna who are maybe the most in-form team in the Serie A.

“I would prioritise the competitions as follows: first the Champions League, then the Serie A and then the Coppa Italia.

“It’s difficult to always express your ability to the maximum when playing every three days as Inter do. So it certainly wont be easy.”

Simone Inzaghi has surely played a key role at Inter in recent years, having won one Serie A title, three Supercoppa, two Coppa Italia and having reached the Champions League Final in 2023.

“I rate Simone Inzaghi very highly. First of all as a person, for what he says, for the way he defends his players, for the powerful way handles criticism and crises,” said Serena.

“He has an important self-control which is a consequence of his internal power and force. He really is a big club manager, where there are many great champions.

“His ability to communicate, knowing when to speak whilst holding strongly on to fundamental principles, as well as speaking to every single player in a different way, is fundamentally important.

“You have to understand the needs of the team and of the individual. Inzaghi is part of the category of coaches like Carlo Ancelotti, who knows how to coach champions.”