Speaking on TMW Radio`s “Maracanà” program, former coach Gigi Maifredi shared his thoughts on the Bologna-Juventus match and other current football topics.
Regarding the intense race for the fourth place spot, Maifredi sees Juventus as the frontrunner. He emphasized that securing a Champions League qualification is essential for Juventus, particularly as they are undergoing a period of restructuring and possess strong motivation. He described yesterday`s match against Bologna as very difficult, but felt that if any team deserved to win, it was Juventus. They managed the game well at the Dall`Ara, suffered minimally, and even missed a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Comparing Juventus to rivals like Roma and Lazio, Maifredi believes Juve has an edge and praised their performance against a strong Bologna side.
When asked about his doubts concerning Tudor`s substitutions late in the match, Maifredi admitted he too was surprised by the decisions to replace Locatelli and Gonzalez. He suggested that even coach Tudor likely recognized it was a mistake, especially given that Gonzalez had been one of the best players on the field.
Concerning the penalty claim for Bologna, Maifredi was decisive, stating there was absolutely no foul. He explained that Freuler was clever in attempting to draw a foul by putting his leg forward, but it was not a penalty situation.
Addressing the question of whether Inter should risk playing Lautaro Martinez, Maifredi said he wouldn`t risk him in a normal game. However, in a decisive match like this one, if the captain feels fit and assessed that there`s no risk of a serious injury like a muscle strain, then he should play. Maifredi highlighted Lautaro`s goal-scoring quality as a valuable contribution in important matches.