Former Inter and Milan manager Alberto Zaccheroni has shared his opinion on the recent – and ongoing – saga between Inter and Mauro Icardi.

“He was the captain and if people like Marotta, Zanetti and the club decided to take the armband off him then it must have been for something serious,” he said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

“A situation like this can make the team become more compact but it is inevitable that it is spoken about in the dressing room and that the dynamics of the changing room can certainly change and become a distraction and thus take away the serenity.

“He was having a lot of problems in front of goal but a finisher like him could be crucial for Inter in the final part of the season.”

He then spoke on the upcoming Milan derby in two weeks time.

“I do not know who will win as it is a derby. Milan are more confident, but Inter will be angry. I see Piatek and Lautaro as new derby men.”

Zaccheroni was then asked about the race for Champions League qualification.

“It will be a battle until the last day but Inter and Milan will both qualify for the Champions League,” he continued.

“Milan are leaner while Inter are more physical, but they are more or less on the same level, they both have important teams.

“At this moment Milan is better. Milan must be careful not drop their concentration by trusting in Piatek too much and they must rediscover the best version of Suso.

“Inter must exploit the qualities of Lautaro Martinez and must become more unpredictable.”