Former Inter defender Fabio Cannavaro has shared his thoughts on Inter, Juventus and Lazio, with all three sides fighting it out to be crowned Serie A champions this season.

After 23 games played, Inter top the table with 54 points, Juventus are in second with the same amount of points as their arch rivals but have an inferior goal difference whilst Napoli are in third place with 53 points.

“Since January the owners of Inter have strengthened the team a lot. Inter are now acquiring consistency. Had Antonio Conte had these players in the Summer, Inter would not have failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

“They are in the running for the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia and their win in the derby will raise their self-esteem,” the current Guangzhou Evergrande manager explained in an interview which appeared in today’s print edition of Milan based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

He then went on to speak about Juventus and Lazio.

“The Bianconeri are always the strongest but in some matches lately they have been struggling whilst the Nerazzurri are growing.

“Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio team have fewer arrows to their bow but the numbers are on their side. Fortunately after years we are talking about a more balanced title race with an outcome that is not obvious.”

Next the captain of Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning side spoke on when he thinks the Serie A title could be decided.

“I am convinced that like never before in this season the title can be decided in the direct clash between Juventus and Inter on March 1.

“The distance between the clubs is minimal and fortunately the title is not already decided as it has been in recent years. Whoever comes out on top that evening will have the self esteem that will enable them to push for the scudetto.

He was then asked about the rumours linking Lionel Messi with a possible move to Italy and if the Argentine arriving would make Serie A the best league in the world.

“I would like to see him with another shirt and with the new taxation in Italy teams can try. Inter seems to me to be the best equipped for the signing.

“If he arrives would Serie A become the best league in the world again? No. In terms of infrastructure the league is still behind the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga. We still have a lot of work to do.”