Former Inter and AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano discussed the derby between the Rossoneri and the Nerazzurri in an interview in today’s paper edition of the Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We’ll talk about derbies? Okay, so I scored in Rome, Madrid, Genoa and Milan. Is that enough?”

He commented on how the game will be the first derby played behind closed doors.

“Without an audience it’s not football. But Covid has changed everyone’s life, so we don’t stop it’s right to go on like this.”

The Italian touched on how much of an impact this derby will have on the season overall.

“It is too soon, we are in the 4th game day, there is time to recover. But Inter have more to lose.

“I didn’t think that Conte would stay after last season, evidently the problem has been fixed. Now he cannot fail, he must win the league.”

Cassano spoke about why the pressure is on the Nerazzurri coach to win the league title this season.

“He has Vidal and Hakimi, he kept Lautaro, he has a stronger team than last year.

“Pirlo will become a great coach, but he is in his first year. Conte is obliged to stop Juve winning every league title.”

He thought that it was correct for AC Milan to keep Stefano Pioli as head coach.

“Pioli deserved to stay, he had a great end to the season, he qualified for the Europa League with a very young team.

“Rangnick? What did he win? Nothing. Stefano has behind him a prepared person like Maldini, serious and capable.”

The former Roma forward thought that AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a stronger player than Inter’s Romelu Lukaku.

“Zlatan is the best player in the league, he is Milan but I don’t know if it will be enough. Lukaku is young, good and strong, but there is no comparison.

“At 39 years old, physical strength is not enough, you need quality and Ibra has a lot of it, after Ronaldo the Phenomenon and Van Basten he is there.”

He suggested that the delivery to the two strikers would be the difference maker in this game.

“Inter favored but Ibra can overturn everything if Covid has not taken away his strength.

“The performance of Zlatan and Lukaku depends on how they will be assisted by Lautaro and Calhanoglu. Lautaro has improved and reminds me of Aguero.”

Cassano touched on why Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen is struggling with the Nerazzurri.

“There is a tactical problem. Conte doesn’t like that kind of player, but Eriksen is a top player, a champion, with the national team he always scores, in the Premier League he was a phenomenon and Real Madrid liked him.

“Conte is a great coach but he likes those Vidal players that give intensity. The first year at Juve Antonio wanted to start with 4-2-4, then Pirlo arrived and he almost didn’t want him. But at the same time, it was his luck.”

The Italian commented on what he would do in this game if he were a coach for either team.

“I never give up on Eriksen behind the strikers, never. If I were Pioli, I would line up AC Milan with 4-2-3-1, to put Inter in trouble on the sides.

“Without Rebic, I would bet on Diaz and Saelemekers.”

He still thought that the Bianconeri would win the league title this season.

“Inter and then Juve. But watch out for Atalanta, Ilicic is a fabulous player, if he gets back in shape anything can happen.

“Milan? They will fight for 4th place with Lazio, Napoli and Roma but it will not be easy to get to the Champions League.”

The former Real Madrid man spoke about the many derbies that he has scored in.

“I have scored in all the derbies. My friend Dacourt used to say, ‘derbies are great games for great players.’, it was normal that I scored! Of course, when in the tunnel you were in front of Samuel you were immediately frightened.”

He spoke about his appearance in the derby in April of 2011.

“Milan-Inter 2-0, I enter 10 minutes from the end in Robinho’s place, I get a penalty, I score and in ten minutes I get two yellows, I did it all.”

Cassano revealed that he gave more of himself to AC Milan than to Inter.

“To Milan. I won a beautiful Scudetto and an Italian Super Cup. I owe my life to this club that snatched me from death when I had the heart problem, Berlusconi and Galliani treated me like a son.

“But I had a big fight with Galliani in China, I asked for a renewal, he postponed the talks, so I asked for the transfer and I went to Inter.”

He spoke a little about that squad.

“A child’s dream come true. There I met two brothers, Ausilio and Branca. I got along very well with Nagatomo, I still talk to him. Before a derby I entered his room at 4 in the morning, he slept with his mask over his eyes, he jumped up in the air like a cricket!”

Finally, Cassano suggested that he regretted retiring so early.

“I played for Inter and in this football with few talents I could still have my say, the real mistake was to quit 4 years ago. But you don’t live on memories.”