Benoit Cauet, a coach and former player for Inter and Como, recently appeared on `1 Football Club`, a radio program hosted by Luca Cerchione on 1 Station Radio. Here is an excerpt from his interview:
Napoli vs. Torino appears to be a straightforward match. What potential pitfalls could Vanoli`s players pose for Conte`s side?
“I don`t think it`s a foregone conclusion at all. I believe Torino is a team that has been performing very well lately and is eager to secure an important position. In my opinion, they will definitely challenge and try to get something from the match.”
Alessandro Buongiorno has frequently been sidelined by injuries this season, missing 12 league games, despite not showing such fragility previously at Torino. What do you think has happened to this young player?
“Unfortunately, it`s part of the profession. When you change cities, teams, and technical staff, a whole range of parameters change that maybe the player wasn`t used to. It`s possible he expended a lot of energy initially trying to prove his worth, given the high expectations, and unfortunately, he`s paid for it with some injuries. He`s a player who deserves all possible attention, including from the Italian National team, because he`s truly very good. But, as I said, it can happen: when you change teams, and the pressure and expectations increase, sometimes these physical problems also arise.”
In your opinion, is Inter currently more focused on the Champions League or the league title?
“I believe the derby defeat highlighted a certain weariness, especially mentally. When you lose such an important game, you crave redemption and want to prove your value. Now, every match is crucial, both in the league and in the Champions League. I don`t think Inter wants to choose just one path; I think they will aim to win them all until the end.”
Behind Antonio Conte`s very critical words towards the Napoli club, is there a desire to leave at the end of the season?
“These statements are always open to many interpretations. It could be an announcement of departure, but also extra motivation for the club to improve. There are many parameters to consider. Personally, I wouldn`t know how to evaluate it precisely: we are five matchdays from the end, and you`re still aiming to finish the season strongly, so they certainly don`t favor a serene environment. It`s all very ambiguous and difficult to decipher, but these are words that should have been avoided, at least for now.”