Inter are deservedly sitting top of the Serie A table and winning the Scudetto depends entirely on them, according to the Nerazzurri’s treble-winning hero Marco Materazzi.

Antonio Conte’s side moved above city rivals AC Milan for the first time this season after last night’s 3-1 win at home to Lazio.

Inter will now play next week’s Derby della Madonnina in front of the Rossoneri, having chased them down over the last few weeks.

Asked whether Juventus or AC Milan’s defeat was more significant for the Nerazzurri in matchday 22, Materazzi told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Inter’s victory against Lazio was what mattered.

“Winning the Scudetto depends entirely on Inter.

“Do Inter deserve to be top? Yes, because this is a team built to win the Scudetto.

“Did I expect Inter to react like this after their Coppa Italia elimination? I was optimistic.

“I repeat that the team is strong and have taken on the character of the coach.

“The group is compact and they are now showing what they can do.”

Materazzi, who made close to 300 appearances for the club in a 10-year spell, then went on to speak about Christian Eriksen, whose fortunes have turned around at Inter following a difficult first year with the team.

“Christian has incredible quality.

“He is perfect together with Marcelo Brozovic and my idol Nicolo Barella, everyone will come in handy between now and May.”

The 2006 World Cup-winning defender was then asked whether the off-field issues Inter are currently experiencing could lead to a lack of motivation for the team to do well.

“I think there will be no lack of motivation regardless, winning a Scudetto with Inter is worth more than a hundred salaries,” Materazzi argued.

Materazzi then looked ahead to this weekend’s Milan derby where Inter will be tasked with stopping Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

He also commented on the recent spat between his former teammate Ibra and Nerazzurri striker Romelu Lukaku.

“Ibra is always scary,” Materazzi said.

“Basically, he is God.

“Ibra’s spat with Lukaku? Those are their problems, I have my thoughts but it is better to keep them to myself.

“I can only say that Romelu is a friendly giant.

“Will there be an aftermath? I hope not, but neither of them will back down.”

In conclusion he shared his expectations of this weekend’s Derby and his hopes that the Nerazzurri win the match, which would enable them to open up a four-point gap at the top.

“It will be a tight match, which will be decided on the counterattack,” he argued.

“I hope Inter win.”