Former Inter midfielder Benoit Cauet believes that the Nerazzurri go into today’s Derby d’Italia against Juventus as the favourites to win.
The two rivals face off at the Allianz Stadium in Serie A with both sides behind in the Scudetto race, though Inter are two points clear after 12 league games.
In an interview with IMInter.it, the Frenchman offered his thoughts on the match and felt that injuries to both sides, including Nerazzurri striker Romelu Lukaku, had taken something from the spectacle, but Inter were more likely to come out on top.
“Inter have come through their difficult moment, have regained solidity but unfortunately there will be no Romelu Lukaku,” Cauet declared.
“Juve, in a chaotic situation, found the quality of the young players but the injuries did not allow them to make the most of it.
“It will be a hard-fought game but Inter are my favourites. Defeat in Turin and the outcome of the Rome derby could see either team slip further away, but from January it will be like a whole new season so things could change.”
The 53-year-old joined Inter from Paris Saint-Germain in 1997 and was involved in the controversial April 1998 Serie A clash against Juventus, with both sides battling to win the league.
After Ronaldo appeared to be brought down by Mark Iuliano in the box, a penalty was not awarded to Inter and Juventus played the ball upfield, where Alessandro Del Piero was adjudged to have been fouled and the Bianconeri netted from the spot, for the only goal, as Juventus went on to be crowned champions.
“It was certainly the most controversial match in the history of football,” Cauet claimed.
“That episode of the penalty not awarded to Ronaldo showed things that were then proved to be true with Calciopoli.
“We conceded the penalty in a confused state with the players chasing the referee and Gigi Simoni on the pitch,” he concluded.
Cauet made 147 appearances for Inter, lifting the UEFA Cup in 1998, before moving on to Torino in 2001.
