Curtis Jones has challenged the perception that Serie A is an easier league than the Premier League, insisting that elite clubs in Italy and England face similar tactical challenges.
The 25-year-old midfielder joined Inter Milan from Liverpool in the summer and has settled well with the Italian champions. However, Jones believes outsiders often misunderstand the nature of Italian football, particularly when judging the pace and intensity of matches involving the league’s biggest teams.
Speaking to DAZN, the England international explained that games can appear slower because opponents frequently adopt defensive tactics against stronger sides rather than committing players forward to press.
“From the outside, everyone thinks that Serie A is a slower league and that the level is not that high. I only partially agree,” Jones told DAZN.
“The games are slower because of the way opponents face us. At Liverpool, it was exactly the same.
“Being one of the strongest teams in the league, opponents rarely came to press us, but they made everything more difficult with a low block.
“If you are the strongest team, with the best players, this is what the opponents will do. In Italy as in England.”
Jones’ comments offer a direct response to the long-standing debate about the quality and competitiveness of Serie A compared with English football’s top flight.
His experience at Liverpool has helped him recognise the similarities between the two competitions. At clubs with superior individual quality, opponents often prioritise defensive organisation, narrow spaces and frustrate attacking players rather than engage in an open contest.
That approach can make matches appear less intense, but Jones believes the tactical demands remain just as significant. Breaking down a compact defence requires patience, movement and creativity, regardless of the league in which a team competes.
Beyond his performances on the pitch, Jones is already winning over Inter supporters. A video recently circulated on social media showing a coachload of fans wearing masks bearing his face while singing his name, highlighting the connection developing between the midfielder and the club’s passionate following.
The former Liverpool player said he recognised that relationship before making the move to Milan, having witnessed the atmosphere surrounding Inter during their Champions League meeting.
“When we played against Inter in the Champions League, I immediately noticed the connection between players and fans,” he added.
“I and Liverpool have always had this kind of special bond with the fans, our 12th man on the pitch.
“I think for those who love Inter the same thing applies so it was an easy choice [to join].”
The midfielder’s remarks underline how the relationship between supporters and players influenced his decision to leave Liverpool for a new challenge in Italy. Having experienced the intensity of the Anfield crowd, Jones appears to have found a similar sense of belonging at the San Siro.
However, Inter’s preparations for their upcoming Serie A fixture against struggling Fiorentina have suffered a setback.
Scans conducted on Friday revealed that wing-back Luis Henrique had sustained an adductor strain. The Brazilian, who came on as a late substitute during Inter’s midweek Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, is expected to remain sidelined until after next month’s international break.
The injury represents another concern for the league leaders as they look to maintain their momentum across domestic and European competitions.
While Jones continues to adapt to life in Italy, his assessment of Serie A makes one point clear: for the strongest teams, success is not simply about the speed of a match. It is about finding ways to overcome opponents determined to make every opening difficult to exploit.
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