Former AC Milan midfielder and current sporting director of Parma Demetrio Albertini discussed this evening’s derby between Inter and the Rossoneri in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia earlier this afternoon.

“The derby will be a great match, now Inter can reach Juventus. It will be a great match between Lukaku and Ibrahimovic.”

The 48-year-old Italian then revealed that he was expecting Inter coach Antonio Conte’s calmer words yesterday, compared to the fighting spirit shown by AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli.

“If I expected Conte to dampen the mood on the eve, while Pioli was pumping up his players? Absolutely yes, because Antonio doesn’t want this game to go wrong. The Inter players are the first to know how much this match is worth. Pioli on the other hand, given that all the predictions are favourable to Inter, he must absolutely raise the players’ emotions and push them to give their best.”

Finally, Albertini spoke about the three-way title race between Inter, Juventus and Lazio.

“It’s nice to be a journalist, to be able to comment and say anything. I don’t want to be a journalist and I don’t want to be a columnist either, but I know how much effort it takes to win a league title. You can’t make mistakes and Inter are currently deserving of their position in the table like Juventus. I think it will be a three-way fight because we mustn’t ignore Lazio out either.”

Inter are currently 2nd in the league table, sitting three points behind rivals and reigning champions Juventus. The Bianconeri lost against Hellas Verona last night, and so Inter could return to the top of league table if they beat the Rossoneri this evening.

AC Milan are sat in 10th place in the table, 19 points behind the Nerazzurri. The club are undefeated in their last seven games, a good sign for Pioli and his squad.