Former Inter defender Francesco ‘Ciccio’ Colonnese has shared his belief that this coming weekend’s Derby della Madonnina between Inter and AC Milan will be a different contest between the two sides compared to normal.

“It will be a different derby, without the fans who usually get the teams up for the game,” he explained in an interview with Inter’s official television channel, Inter TV, which was broadcast a short time ago.

Colonnese proceeded to share his opinion on both of the teams and how they are coming into the match at San Siro, which will be the first time the sides meet this season.

“AC Milan are a team that is doing very well, is a young team and then Ibrahimovic is ahead. Inter comes from a draw with Lazio, had the game in hand and comes with a bit of a bitter taste for not having won.

“We will have to enter the field convinced, even if there is no audience, the fans are very keen. AC Milan is a very organised team, they leave little space for their opponents, they cover the field well, you have to make the most of the small details, the derbies are won by the team who makes the least mistakes.”

He then went on to speak about some of the players Inter have within their ranks: “Inter have more quality and have players who change the game like Lautaro, Lukaku and Barella. Hakimi on the wing can hurt Milan, it will be a nice duel with Hernandez. Whoever has the strongest defence wins.”

Colonnese joined Inter in the Summer of 1997 from fellow Italian club Roma and spent the next three years with Inter before departing for Lazio.

In his spell with the club, the 49-year-old made 80 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored two goals and won a single trophy, the 1997/98 edition of the UEFA Cup.