Exclusive – Ex Inter & AC Milan Star Aldo Serena: “Lautaro A Reference Point Vs Bayern, Thuram Can Hurt Barcelona, Inzaghi A Big Club Coach Like Ancelotti” | OneFootball

Former Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus and Italy striker Aldo Serena believes that Lautaro Martinez is a true leader branding him a ‘reference point’ in the two Champions League clashes against Bayern Munich.

Serena, who won the Serie A with Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus, told SempreInter.com exclusively that Lautaro Martinez winner really rose to the occasion as captain against Bayern.

However, Serena began by praising the impact that Carlos Augusto had. Especially in the away leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

“We have to give a special mention, with regards to the first leg, to Carlos Augusto. He played a great game. It is always difficult to do so for players who don’t always start, who play occasionally.

“To have such versatile players, he can play both as a wingback as well as a left central defender, and who never create problems when they don’t play, is a Godsend for Inzaghi” Serena began.

Aldo Serena – Inter Milan Captain Lautaro Martinez A Reference Point Against Bayern Munich

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal 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)

Serena then proceeded to heap praise over Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez.

“However, the point of reference for Inter Milan over these two legs against Bayern in the quarterfinal, was without a doubt Lautaro Martinez.

“Not just for the two goals scored, one scored in each of the two games. I also scored against Bayern in a European cup game but it wasn’t enough for us to go through.

“After a difficult autumn, conditioned by the fact that he never rested in the summer, even cutting his holidays short, he came out of all that with personality. Without protesting.

“Since the start of 2025 he has been in noticeable form. Scoring one goal after another. Now with the Captain’s armband, one can see that he is the leader of the team” Serena stated.

Aldo Serena – Inter Milan Captain Lautaro Martinez A Leader

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern Munich at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Serena continued singing the praises of Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez for his performances against Bayern Munich.

“He is a leader that makes his presence felt with facts: with goals, creating plays, by sacrificing himself. He never hides from a battle.”

“The 2-1 win at the Allianz Stadium was fundamentally important. Both in terms of conviction and belief as well as the psychological importance of starting the home game with a lead.

“A lead that was lost after Harry Kane scored. Psychologically Inter reacted powerfully. And in a lucid manner. Just like they did in Munich.

“They never had a hysterical reaction whereby they would distort the tactical aspect and lose balance.

“It was a cool Inter who worked on the weaknesses of the opposition, particularly on Kompany’s two central defenders. Therefore, Inter deserved to go through, and did so against a strong team.

“A well-drilled team. And a team that have a methodology of playing good football.

“Where they close down their opposition in the oppositions half, pressing and getting many balls into the penalty area.

“However, it is difficult to surprise Inter with many aerial balls in their penalty area. This given that Inter have many tall defenders.

“Defenders who are very well structured from a physical and athletic perspective.

“Dier managed to score a goal in a very special situation where the wind certainly helped him” Serena argued.

Aldo Serena – Dimarco One Of Inter Milan’s Best Players, Thuram Fundamentally Important Against Barcelona

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio San Siro on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

A hot topic right now concerns Federico Dimarco. More specifically, should Dimarco be benched against Barcelona.

This given his defensive deficiencies. As illustrated when Harry Kane scored. However, Serena disagreed.

“Dimarco is one of Inter’s best players but he only just returned from an injury. He has recovered but you can see that he is still not at his best.

“I think he will start. There is still a little bit of time left before the Barcelona game. You will see that he will be in the right condition.”

“With regards to the Barcelona game, I think Inter will have their chances.

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

“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.”

Can Inter fans dream of reaching another Champions League final?

“I was commentating on the Borussia Dortmund – Barcelona game. And Barcelona have an extraordinary attack, but they concede spaces where you can hurt them.

“The first leg will be incredibly important” Serena went on.

Aldo Serena – Simone Inzaghi A Big Club Manager Like Carlo Ancelotti

Inter Milan’s Italian coach Simone Inzaghi holds the trophy during the ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is widely praised. Both in Italy and abroad. Praise which Serena agrees with.

“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.

“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” Serena continued.

Aldo Serena – If I Were Simone Inzaghi I’d Coach A Top Premier League Club That Has Struggled Like Manchester United

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 19: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia, Round of 16 match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Several Premier League clubs are linked with Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi. These include, Manchester City and Arsenal.

The former Inter Milan striker stated that Manchester United is a better fit. As there, he can build a winning cycle from scratch.

“Manchester City has financial muscles to satisfy every desire of whoever their coach is. Arsenal are right now in a Champions League semifinal and are dreaming of a unique accomplishment.

“Hypothetically speaking, I would go for a top Premier League side that has struggled recently.

“I think of Manchester United but recently a manager arrived there who probably will stay for a quite a bit of time.

In that case, do you see a situation where Simone Inzaghi stays at Inter and becomes a Sir Alex Ferguson of sorts?

“English football and the philosophy of the fans there, have an understanding for the manager. It is collective form of patience.

“In Italy, like in all Mediterranean countries, these traits and characteristics don’t exist. Just look at what is happening to Carlo Ancelotti.

“As long as you win in Italy, everything is fine. However, if you have a bad season, then not everyone is prepared to look at the past in order to plan for the future.

“I think that for as long as things go well, they go well. However, if a team were not to get the required results, then what happens is what always happens in Italy.

“This applies to all coaches” Serena mused.

Aldo Serena – From Barella To Calhanoglu: Inter Milan Midfield One Of Absolute Quality We’ve Never Seen Before

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 16: Nicolò Barella of Inter celebrates a third goal during the Serie match between Lazio and Inter at Stadio Olimpico on December 16, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Serena was asked to draw comparisons between his record-breaking Inter Milan side under Giovanni Trapattoni and today’s Inter Milan.

“Generally speaking, it is difficult to make comparisons to teams from 35 years ago. Football has changed so much. And this change is linked to many different factors.

“This Inter is an Inter that has the characteristics of their coach. Therefore, it is an Inter that is hard-working, not particularly exuberant but also concrete, rational and humble.

“Exactly like their coach is. And it is an Inter which draws out the best characteristics of their players.

“They don’t play in a speculative way, they counterattack with great quality of passing in the middle of the park. I can’t say if it is more brilliant than the Inter team of 30 years ago.

“However, in 2010 we had an Inter that knew how to suffer and that team won everything. The Inter of today has a midfield that we have never seen, one of absolute quality.

“Both in the defensive as well as the offensive phase. Calhanoglu has the feet and always uses it even to break up play. Barella is a first class fighter.

“Despite being 36 years of age, Mkhitaryan seems to never rust like stainless steel, with his will and his spirit of team work and sacrifice.

“Inter’s strength, beyond their attackers, derives from an extraordinary midfield” Serena argued.

Aldo Serena – Difficult For Inter Milan To Win Treble, Should Prioritize Champions League & Serie A Over Coppa Italia

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 02: Nicola Zalewski of FC Internazionale passes the ball ahead of Alex Jimenez of AC Milan during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Serena was asked about Inter Milan’s chances of winning a continental treble.

“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.

“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.

“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” Serena stated.

Speaking of a treble, Inter face off with AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinal. How should Inter approach this game? Given the Coppa Italia is the least important one when compared to the Serie A title race and of course the Champions League Semifinal?

“The derby is right at the crossroads of important matches. The San Siro will be packed too.

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

“However, of course, it is a derby game…” Serena stated.

Aldo Serena – Too Many International Matches & Tournaments

UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 08:Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale during the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale – Serie A TIM at Dacia Arena on April 08, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

A hot talking point right now is the number of matches between club and nations team football. Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta has been a vocal supporter of reducing the Serie A to 18 teams.

Serena agreed that the fixture list is congested. However, he disagreed that the domestic leagues should have their number of matches reduced.

“The world of football looks to capitalize to the max when earning money. Several competitions have been added, such as the Nations League or the FIFA Club World Cup.

“I wouldn’t limit the domestic competitions. However, I would limit the international tournaments. For me, the league has it’s own great charm” Serena argued.

Aldo Serena – Piotr Zielinski & Mehdi Taremi Have Quality, Zielinski Has Done Hos Job, Don’t Know If Taremi Stays

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 19: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale reaacts during the Coppa Italia, Round of 16 match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

In conclusion, Serena was asked about Piotr Zielinski and Mehdi Taremi’s performances since joining Inter.

“Zielinski has given good performances and some less than good performances. However, in my opinion he has done what he is supposed to.

“It is a different discussion with Taremi. Look at Arnautovic. If you would have judged him up until only a couple of months ago, you would have considered him a failure.

“However, today he is doing well. Zielinski and Taremi are two players who aren’t young anymore. But they both have quality.

“I don’t know if Taremi will get another chance next season. He has already had many chances and hasn’t always risen to the occasion” Serena concluded.