Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi agrees that his star midfielders Nicolo Barella and Davide Frattesi can play side-by-side.

The 47-year-old held his pre-match conference on Friday as his team prepares to take on AC Milan in a much-anticipated Derby encounter on Saturday.

The Nerazzurri manager will be looking to confirm his team’s good start to the season by collecting a fourth win in a row.

“Milan and Inter both made a good impression thus far. It’s only the fourth round but it’s an important match. We want to get the best possible result,” said Inzaghi in his press conference via FcInterNews.

“Inter changed two players while Milan made three or four. There is no big difference, they are two teams that have changed, but both started very well.

“Each side has its own identity. Tomorrow is not decisive but we know what it means for the city and the fans. We know what the derby represents for everyone.

“I hope to also have Cuadrado and Sanchez for tomorrow, then from Sunday we will focus on the Champions League.”

The former Lazio boss discussed the club’s new signing Davide Frattesi. The 23-year-old is yet to start a match for the Nerazzurri.

But after scoring a brace for Italy against Ukraine, many would like to see the former Sassuolo man start the Derby, including former Inter president Massimo Moratti.

For his part, Inzaghi remains coy on the situation, while agreeing that Frattesi and Barella can indeed play in the same midfield.

“We all wanted Davide at Inter, he has fitted in nicely and has been working very well with his teammates for two months.

“I have to make choices and I’m happy to have options. Last year there was a moment in which I had forced choices, then I was able to rotate and Inter improved a lot.”

“Frattesi and Barella have already played together during the current season and also in pre-season.

“They have proved it with the national team and with me in these first matches. We’ll see, but my only thought is to choose for the sake of Inter. Then we’ll see who plays.”

Inter Milan Coach Simone Inzaghi Ensures That Davide Frattesi And Nicolo Barella Can Play Side-By-Side

Inzaghi admitted that his team will have to keep a close eye on Rafael Leao. He also aimed a dig at pundits who were claiming that the club has become weaker this year, but now recognize Inter as the favorite to win the league.

“We will have to mark Leao closely. We will take countermeasures as we have always done. He has great quality. But so do Inter players.

“Before the start of the season, they said that we were weaker. But now, it seems that we will have to win the Champions League rather than the Scudetto.

“It doesn’t bother me, I’m joking about it because this is what I’m reading after three victories.

“It’s not a problem, we know that we hit our peak last season and that’s why it’s difficult for me to say if we’re better than last year.

“We hope to play another 57 games but time will tell. We are at Inter to win and we work hard to achieve our goals.

“We know that we have to work hard and that tomorrow we will have very strong opponents to face.”

“We’re hoping to take the lead. But thinking about a certain route or a certain opponent in the calendar is not a good thing. We hope to have everyone available because, with so many matches to play, I’ll need all my players.”

The Nerazzurri boss says he’ll make his final decision on the starting formation tomorrow morning.

“There are always doubts about the lineup, today even more so because I only saw Lautaro yesterday for half an hour.

“I’ll get the chance to monitor Sanchez and Cuadrado today. So I have to evaluate the conditions of the players after the international break.

“I still have some doubts. Today we’ll finish our preparations. Then we’ll do the muscle awakening tomorrow and I will choose my lineup.”