Materazzi: Inter know they are ‘stronger’ than Milan

Inter legend Marco Materazzi believes the Nerazzurri know they are ‘stronger’ than Milan, and hopes his former club will secure a 3-1 win at San Siro this evening.

Inter and Milan meet in the derby della Madonnina at 20:45 CET today. Football Italia will be among the accredited media at the Stadio Meazza.

Materazzi, a 2006 Italy World Cup winner and treble champion with Inter in 2010, previewed an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

The former centre-back tried to guess the three top players for the Nerazzurri.

“Barella, Bastoni and Dimarco. Interisti through and through, like me,” he said.

“In a derby, these are essential players. They show the others what it means to play a match like this. Their teammates look at them and immediately understand the atmosphere.”

Inter have won 11 of their last 12 matches, so what’s the atmosphere in the Nerazzurri squad?

“The atmosphere of a league leader, one that knows it’s stronger than Milan. It’s no small thing,” Materazzi replied.

“Milan are in good shape, they have great individual players, a great friend and a coach who knows exactly what he’s doing. Allegri may not offer a big show, but he always knows what he’s about.”

Materazzi, however, is aware that being stronger on the pitch doesn’t necessarily mean winning games.

“In games like this, the pitch can always tell a different story. Take last year, we didn’t win a single one. And the 2-3 loss in the Supercoppa was the snapshot of the season,” he noted.

“We lost trophies that were already in our pockets. I’m thinking of the Scudetto too, obviously.”

Inter coach Cristian Chivu played alongside Materazzi at Inter, winning several trophies, including the treble in 2010.

“He was a perfect example of balance. I was the nervous one starting a week before a derby,” Materazzi said.

“I’d stop understanding anything, and I became unbearable. But on the pitch, that tension turned into clarity. You win a derby by taking care of every detail; you can’t afford to let your guard down.”

When asked about Milan’s key players, Materazzi had no doubts: “Pulisic. His movement, unpredictability, and cold-blooded finishing are a real problem. And Modric is a true champion. With him, Milan have added a level of quality that not many teams can boast.

“Milan, on the other hand, need to watch out for Calhanoglu,” he continued. “Not only because this is his game, but because Inter’s new way of playing brings out the best in him. More vertical, more freedom to shoot from distance.”

Fabio Capello has labelled Manuel Akanji as the ‘Modric of Inter’ and Materazzi agrees.

“Absolutely, I didn’t think he was this good. I saw him live against Lazio and realised Inter hit the jackpot. Winning mentality, personality and experience. He’s got everything.”

Lastly, the former defender tried to predict the result.

“A 3-1 comeback win with goals from Barella and Dimarco. That way, nothing would be missing: plot twists, action and a happy ending.”