Ex-Torino and Inter striker Marco Ferrante is expecting a tight encounter between his former clubs when they meet in Serie A tomorrow.

The two teams face off at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino with Inter hoping to maintain their push to retain the Scudetto, whilst the Granata are aiming for a top-half finish.

In an interview published in today’s newspaper edition of Tuttosport, Ferrante offered his thoughts on the match and felt that it could be decided by the dangerous strikers on either side, but it would be more of a tactical battle that could come down to set-pieces.

“We always think that a champion like (Edin) Dzeko, Lautaro (Martinez) or (Andrea) Belotti could decide it,” the 51-year-old claimed.

“I see it as a more tactical game than a spectacular one. Inter will have to respect Torino and realise that danger can always be around the corner. In my opinion it could be settled from a set-piece, since both sides have good aerial threats.”

Ferrante enjoyed the best spell of his career with Torino after netting 114 goals in 232 appearances and leading them to promotion from Serie B, but had a brief loan spell with Inter in 2001, yielding a single goal in 11 games. Whilst insisting that he enjoyed his time with the Nerazzurri, the former striker admitted he would be cheering on Torino.

“It was an intense six months at Inter, but I’ll support Toro because my heart is Granata. Hopefully the best team wins, though I hope Inter play their game and Toro can use the counter.

“My experience in Milan was exciting, with players of the calibre of Ronaldo, Javier Zanetti, Laurent Blanc, Clarence Seedorf, and above all a president like Massimo Moratti, a gentleman of a different era. The Nerazzurri shirt had a great weight attached, even if that was another type of football.

“The Torino fans are always in my heart and their support is visceral. A few months ago, and even in recent days, some Torino fans contacted me to say hello. This makes me understand the attachment they have for Torino and for those who honour the history on the pitch and continue to be assets to the club even today.”

Finally, Ferrante warned that Torino would need to pay close attention to Inter’s attacking players if they were to get anything from the match, in particular, Alexis Sanchez, Dzeko, and Martinez.

“I don’t know if Sanchez will play from the start, but he’s a player who is hard to mark, he plays between the lines and creates a lot for his teammates. Dzeko and Lautaro are also to be feared, while on the wing Ivan Perisic knows how to dribble and cross very well.

“In general, Inter have more weapons than Toro, but they will have to be careful of counter attacks because the Granata have pace and know how to cause damage,” he concluded.