Former Inter legend Walter Zenga, who is currently in charge of Serie A side Crotone, gave an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the upcoming big match in the Serie A this Sunday night at 20.45 CET at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milano’s San Siro district.

Zenga began by talking about the two coaches saying that “Spalletti and Di Francesco have both recently arrived at their new clubs, next year we can make a better judgement on how Inter and Roma compare, although, from what we can see now, the future looks bright.”

After Juve and Napoli in the league table, will it be a three-way race for the Champions League?

“So far I have only faced Napoli and Lazio, both gave me a very good impression on the basis of individual quality and organisation. I would say Inter, Lazio and Roma, in alphabetical order because I cannot predict the another.”

In the last 3 games, Inter have collected 3 points while Roma have gained 5, was their first encounter representative or not?

“Every team has it’s downturn over the course of a season, Inter have suffered it at this point and I think beyond the injuries, it was mostly a consequence of mentality because from the beginnig of the Summer up until Pordenone, during the Italian Cup, they were at the limit, they must regain their self-belief. Roma has suffered the same stress but in a different way. I think their push to 1st place in their Champions League group has affected some of their results in the league over the season, hence why the two are now so close.”

How much does Inter vs Roma count for?

“For the end of the season result, not much, but for mental strength, maybe a lot.”

Icardi has pure killer instinct, maybe the best in Serie A, but if the crosses do not come to him, how else can they serve him?

“I ask two things of a striker. Dominate the space in front of the goal and put the ball in the back of the net. I would not need to ask Icardi to do this.”

One thing you like about Handanovic and one thing about Alisson?

“They are the same. They both protect their areas well. This is a battle I am excited for, Handanovic has been doing it for years while Alisson is a revelation, his personality has impressed me.”

Mourinho versus Conte: How does a fellow coach interpret it?

“It was a good fight, just to get the press a bit excited. However, I do not think it was positive for either of them.”