Inter legend Beppe Bergomi discussed tonight’s derby between the Nerazzurri and AC Milan in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster Radio Deejay earlier today.
“Hakimi-Hernandez is one duel among the many we will see. They are two strong teams with an important identity. Milan cannot hide, they are strong and well built.
“I don’t know if Inter are much stronger than Milan, maybe in the long run they are, but in a single match I don’t know. It is always equal in the derby, Milan is as strong as Inter.”
He spoke about the work and ideas of coach Antonio Conte, whose position was confirmed at the club in a meeting at the end of last season.
“He looks like another Conte, the one I like. He must have patience, transmit calm and serenity to the whole environment.
“Another person came out of that meeting. I like it when a coach communicates in this way, knowing how to communicate is fundamental.
“In the work on the pitch he is very good, he gave his identity immediately to the team, even if he had few players, they know how to play.”
The Italian touched on Conte’s style of communication and the limited number of midfielders available to the coach in this evening’s game. Both Radja Nainggolan and Roberto Gagliardini have tested positive for Covid-19.
“Communication is important, he used to be unclear before, yesterday he communicated very well. In the long run Inter can be worth something more, but today they are on par.
“Inter doesn’t have a bench, in midfield they are in trouble without Nainggolan, Gagliardini and Sensi. They don’t have the derby man, Vecino, an important player.”
Bergomi also spoke about Inter midfielder Christian Eriksen. The 28-year-old Dane has struggled to adapt to Conte’s tactical system since his arrival from Tottenham in the January transfer window earlier this year.
“For Inter he will always be a problem, the questions surrounding him will always be there. Put yourself in Conte’s shoes, who answered well yesterday. But we have to ask ourselves if his talent is so great as to excel in Serie A.
“I’ve never been convinced of that. We always put Conte in trouble by talking about him.”
Finally, Bergomi highlighted how Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella has filled in Eriksen’s position as a trequartista. He also suggested that the Dane could look to change his mentality.
“Today the role of trequartista is taken by Barella, Inter’s strongest midfielder. Eriksen can be a solution. We are waiting to see if he will change his mentality.
“Even players like Zola, Bergkamp and others who were struggling here did extraordinary things in the Premier League.”
Eriksen is not expected to start against AC Milan in the derby this evening, with Croatian Marcelo Brozovic preferred.
