Inter defender Stefan De Vrij will have to put a temporary hold on his friendship with Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt in tonight’s Derby d’Italia, according to a report from today’s paper edition of the Rome based newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

The report details how the Dutch defenders are not only national teammates, but also friends in their private lives. There is a mutual bond between the duo, born in the national team and helped by the arrival of the former Ajax defender in Italy. De Vrij helped the 20-year-old settle in a new country.

De Ligt has struggled to convince in his first season with Juventus, the report continues, whilst De Vrij has emerged as one of the best defenders in the league. The Bianconeri defender, who is contracted to the Turin based side until 2024, has made 26 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 2191 minutes.