Former Fiorentina midfielder Massimo Orlando believes that defeat in the Derby d’Italia would spell the end of Inter’s Scudetto hopes this season.

The Nerazzurri travel to the Allianz Stadium tomorrow to face bitter rivals Juventus in Serie A, as they trail league leaders Napoli by 11 points in their quest to win the Scudetto for the first time since 2021.

Speaking to Italian radio station TMW Radio earlier today, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, Orlando argued that Inter could not afford to lose against the Bianconeri if they were to maintain any hope of catching Napoli at the top of the table, whilst the same applied to Juventus.

“Whoever loses would have an important gap behind Napoli, and whoever loses is definitively out of the title race, even if Juve already are for me,” the 51-year-old argued.

“Inter seem to be fine, they have returned to form, but we must not forget Atalanta vs Napoli too. Nobody thinks that Atalanta can be a Scudetto challenger, but if they win, it would give a message to the others that this Napoli is beatable.”

Napoli ultimately secured a 2-1 win over Atalanta earlier this evening, extending their lead at the top of the table and a winning run in Serie A to nine matches.