Inter legend Nicola Berti was interviewed by Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia ahead of Sunday’s derby della Madonnina at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milano’s San Siro district.
The former Nerazzurri player began by talking about his thoughts about the match generally before talking about his own personal experiences from playing the match: “The derby is unique and extraordinary it’s the game of the year. You can’t get similar emotions elsewhere. When you feel good physically and wake up the morning of the derby, it’s a fantastic feeling.”
“Now the game is starting to feel like an actual derby again, for a few years I saw too many players embracing each other and smiling. The players need to have a healthy ruthless streak in them just like there was when I played. I remember the small gym at San Siro where the two teams used to warm up together prior to the match. I used to knock a few balls in their direction to annoy them. This was my pre-match ritual when we were playing the derby.”
Berti was asked about his derby goals stating that: “We won the first one 1-0 thanks to my goal. In the second I told myself I would score a goal and I did, but unfortunately Gullit equalised seven minutes from time. In 1995, Moratti’s first Derby, I beat Sebastiano Rossi with a splendid goal even if it was claimed that the goalkeeper had scored an own goal.”
Berti was then asked about the two teams forms going into the match as well as if Lautaro Martinez and Mauro Icardi can play together to which he replied: “Both teams are in great form. Personally, I think Icardi and Lautaro can play together, but the coach is the one who sees them in training every day and he knows what’s best in terms of the team’s balance. We are set to see a spectacular derby. It won’t be a 0-0 game with the attackers that will be out there on the pitch.”
Berti was asked to give his prediction of the match to which he replied: “At the start, Spalletti wasn’t able to work with all the players in their peak physical condition but now we’re constantly improving. Everyone says that Inter are the favorites and I thing they are too. You know I’m not superstitious so I’m going to say that Inter will win 3-1.”
