In an interview with Passione Inter, former Inter president and owner Massimo Moratti has shared his views on the current state of Inter.

“The Inter that we are seeing now is a team that is not only growing but one that gives the impression of having great potential and this is the thing that matters most and bodes well for the future,” he started the interview.

“Knowing that it is in the hands of Conte who truly knows how to develop the skills of his players, I think we will see something better and better.”

He was then asked if Inter’s capture of Christian Eriksen from Tottenham Hotspur during the January transfer window reminds him of the signing of Wesley Sneijder when he was in charge of the club.

“Sneijder was genuinely decisive for us. He made an already strong team play at a higher level than before. Not only am I grateful to him, but I really consider him to be one of the best purchases I made made. I wish for Eriksen to have the same path.”

Moratti then shared his expectations ahead of this weekend’s second Derby della Madonnina of the season between Inter and AC Milan.

“The derby is always difficult, you never know emotionally which of the two teams will face it better. It won’t be easy. On paper we should be stronger, but then you know, predicting the derby is a really impossible thing.”

He was then asked if AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic worries him ahead of the match.

“Without a doubt, he is a good and intelligent player with great charisma. He can get all of the players at AC Milan  up for this game. You have to be careful.”

He proceeded to discuss Inter striker Lautaro Martinez and shared his disappointment that the Argentine international will be unavailable for derby.

“He is an attacker whom I consider to be very strong. I am very sorry that on Sunday he will not there, it would have been nice and interesting to see him at work in such a clash.”

Moratti concluded the interview by revealing that whilst in charge of Inter he tried to sign Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who has recently been linked with a move to the Nerazzurri again.

“He was very young, I had seen him at a youth tournament, it was under 17 or under 18 level and he was already making an impression then, but he was a stranger.

“I wanted to buy him but I knew that Barcelona had helped him with his health. I left him at Barcelona and know that Messi has always been grateful to me for this. He has always treated me with kindly.”