Juventus centre back Matthijs de Ligt has admitted he is relishing the prospect of coming up against Inter striker Romelu Lukaku in this weekend’s first Derby D’Italia of the season.

I am obviously very excited to be play against Lukaku but it is Inter against Juve, not de Ligt against Lukaku,” the young Dutch defender who joined the Bianconeri during the Summer transfer window told Rome based news outlet Corriere dello Sport.

He concluded: “It will be a difficult match, Inter are a great team but we are too. We are improving day by day as a team and I personally feel that am getting better and better also.”

Heading into the match, de Ligt’s Juventus are trailing their arch-rivals by two points. Inter are currently sat at the top of the Serie A table with thanks to new manager Antonio Conte leading the club to six wins in their first six games.