Inter’s Derby d’Italia win over Juventus last night could prove to be the turning point for the Nerazzurri’s season, at least in the eyes of legendary Inter defender Riccardo Ferri.

Antonio Conte’s side ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over the Bianconeri thanks to goals from Arturo Vidal and Nicolo Barella and this was the first time since 2016 that Inter had won this fixture.

They are now seven points clear of Andrea Pirlo’s team in the Serie A standings, having dominated the match at San Siro from beginning to end.

“That game that represented a crossroads,” Ferri explained while present in the studios of Italian broadcaster Italia 1 during their ‘Pressing’ show.

“Juve could have beaten Inter, who instead won with character and personality.

“Inter did not give anything up.

“The Nerazzurri have suffered a lot of criticism but there has been a reaction.

“Conte’s team has a personality that never came out before.

“It is the first important match that Inter have won and we are talking about a team that today we say is problematic, but until yesterday the deep squad of Juventus was praised.”

Ferri was then asked whether Juventus were just bad but Ferri was quick to state that credit must be given to Inter for their reaction.

“Let’s not forget to praise Inter, who reacted after the criticisms they had received.

“At San Siro there was only one team on the pitch in terms of intensity and desire.

“Juve’s only excuse is the absences and changes that they had to make.”

The former Italian national team player proceeded to discuss what a win does for a team.

“A win is an injection of self-esteem and awareness, these things are needed in a locker room.

“Even when Inter were not beautiful, they showed they could overturn every prediction.

“Few teams manage to create the same amount of chances that Inter create, the problem is that they don’t take all those chances.

“To those who want to see sparkling football I say we’ll probably never see that from Inter, but they are a difficult team to beat.”

In conclusion, Ferri sang the praises of Conte, who Ferri believes has always been in full control, despite the criticism receieved.

“Credit to Conte, who has received a lot of criticism but has always been in full control of the team, both in the dressing room and on the pitch.

“The team has always been on his side.

“Inter and Conte were looking for a victory to turn the season around and the one against Juve can be important.”

Ferri spent the first 13 years of his playing career on Inter’s books between 1981 and 1994, helping Giovanni Trapattoni’s record-breaking side to the Serie A title in 1989.

During his time with the club, he made 418 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored nine goals and provided a single assist.