There are just a few days left until the Derby di Milano and La Gazzetta dello Sport has interviewed one of the big stars of the past for Inter: Marco Materazzi. The former defender spoke about Sunday night’s challenge and Inter’s strengths.
This is what he had to say:
DERBY – “Getting three points on Sunday would be a hard pill to swallow for the scudetto rivals, a hard blow. Risks for the nerazzurri? Well, usually it’s a disadvantage to approach the derby this way, usually the team that’s doing worse wins. But we’re talking about Inter. We’re talking about a team that, for two years, has been absolutely the strongest in Italy: regardless of who’s playing, the identity is always the same. Manchester is a great example of this”.
STRENGTHS – “What impresses me about Inter? The confidence they convey, against any opponent. And this is reassuring thinking about the derby. Have you seen Zielinski against City? He seemed to have been playing at Inter all his life. Now it’s almost clearer who’s the starter and who’s not on the team: whoever goes on the field always meets expectations. This year you’ve brought in Zielinski and Taremi, who have sent Lautaro and Mkhitaryan to the bench. And I say this despite the draw in Monza: were it not for Mota’s super goal, I’m convinced that Inzaghi would have brought home that victory too”.
RISKS –“What should Inter not do? Don’t think about the six consecutive derbies already won, because it would make you take the field too lightly, and that wouldn’t be a good thing. Those are games that always have some components that defy logic. That said, I have in mind the seventh consecutive victory, I know well what it would mean”.
LAUTARO – “I’ll say this: one goal and we’re back to last year. But what are we talking about? He hasn’t had a vacation, little preparation. But he wins everywhere, with Inter and with Argentina. He’s in the top 30 of the Ballon d’Or: it might seem like a burden, but actually it’s a source of pride”.
BISSECK – “He’s learning from those around him, people of 34 or 36 years old like Darmian and Acerbi. He’s growing visibly. And this is Inter’s strength: their division’s performance never changes”.
MIDFIELD – “Which midfield against Milan? Barella-Calhanoglu-Mkhitaryan. Did you see the game Nicolò played against City? You understand why Guardiola wanted him. For me, he’s as valuable as Rodri, it’s a different role but at that level”.
IBRAHIMOVIC – “Ibrahimovic’s words? Well, honestly, they don’t impress me. Let’s say they’re words that are part of the character. This is what I have to say, as an Inter fan: I hope Milan never gets Paolo Maldini back…”.
