Former Lazio goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani spoke about the derby tomorrow between Inter and AC Milan, as well as discussing Samir Handanovic and Gianluigi Donnarumma, in an interview in today’s print edition of the Italian sports magazine Sportweek.
First, Marchegiani spoke about Inter captain Handanovic.
“He’s a done and finished goalkeeper. In recent years he has improved in playing with his feet, but he doesn’t have the naturalness of it compared to his Spanish and German colleagues. Same goes for Donnarumma. Because of his age, Handanovic has no room for technical improvement. He’s reached the height of his potential, but he can give more games still, compared to his time at Udinese, he moves less from the goal. It’s a conservative attitude that happened to me as well.”
The 53-year-old Italian decided which one of the two goalkeepers that he would pick.
“I think Donnarumma has something extra in every respect. If I have to choose, I’ll take him.”
The former Lazio and Torino shot stopper spoke about the Inter squad heading into tomorrow’s game.
“I like Inter’s appearance, defined and recognisable. They have a game made of coded movements. I like the speed with which the team gives the attackers. And Conte doesn’t have the problem of not having a plan B. In his case, the problem is that the team is arriving at the derby out of breath.”
Marchegiani touched on the arrival of Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen.
“Eriksen brings talent and experience. No one at Inter has his resume, he has international experience that will allow his teammates to grow. The Dane is the player Conte wanted to increase the depth of the team. I can see him in the middle, next to him and not in Brozovic’s place.”
The 53-year-old then touched on Ashley Young and Victor Moses.
“On the wings, I wasn’t convinced by the suggestions that Asamoah and Biraghi had started badly this season. With Young, who is more than a replacement, and Moses, now Conte can change his ideas even during the game.”
Finally, Marchegiani spoke about how much Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez means to the team.
“A lot. Martinez is the real driving force behind the team, he guarantees unpredictability to the actions, he has an essential competitive and realistic nastiness. Lukaku remains fundamental, but Lautaro is more imaginative. We have to see if Sanchez is finally physically well enough to replace him.”
Inter are currently 19 points ahead of AC Milan in the league table after 22 games. The Nerazzurri will be without captain Samir Handanovic and Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez, due to an injury and suspension respectively. The club need a win against the Rossoneri if they want to keep up pressure on league leaders Juventus, who are three points ahead of the Nerazzurri.
