Italian legend Alessandro Altobelli, a former Inter and Juventus striker, says the Nerazzurri-Bianconeri encounter is the “most important game of the year” and predicts Simone Inzaghi’s men will win.
Inter and Juventus meet at the San Siro on Sunday evening with kick-off at 18:00 CET (16:00 GMT).
The Bianconeri have just lost their first match this season, facing a 1-0 defeat against VfB Stuttgart in the Champions League. Inter, on the other hand, beat Young Boys and have one point more than the Bianconeri in the Serie A standings.
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Altobelli, winner of the 1982 World Cup in Italy, scored seven goals in the Italian derby, all for Inter.
“You don’t need to think about tactics in these games, but just try to score every time you have the ball and try not to concede when you don’t,” the former striker said at the Gazzetta.
“These are the philosophies of these two teams and Inter-Juventus is always the most important match of the year.”
As a former Italian striker, Altobelli will be keeping a close eye on the Inter and Juventus attackers.
“Lautaro and Thuram are in sync and they are protected by a solid midfielder. They score and the others work hard. The one most like me is Thuram,” he said.
“Dusan Vlahovic is rebounding, but I also like Khephren Thuram and Kenan Yildiz. It will be a great match.
Speaking of strikers, will Lautaro Martinez win the Ballon d’Or?
“If he wins, we are all happy because he has done extraordinary things. He won for the club and the country,” argued Altobelli.
“I think it’s difficult anyway. It’s easier to win the Ballon d’Or if you play for Real Madrid. They will give it to Vinicius.
Much attention was also paid to the coaches. Inzaghi is in his fourth season at Inter, while Motta was appointed by Juventus last summer.
“Simone has been doing so well since he was at Lazio. Thiago is emerging now, but you are nobody until you win,” Altobelli warned.
“Let’s see if he will do what people expect of him. It’s easy to finish third, Juventus would do it anyway. Thiago must leave his mark. From today, Inzaghi is clearly better but he had more time.
Regarding the score prediction for Sunday’s match, Altobelli has no doubts.
“Inter will win 3-1.”