Inter will become favourites to win Serie A if they beat AC Milan in Sunday’s derby, at least in the eyes of Nerazzurri legend Luis Suarez.
Antonio Conte’s side head into the Derby della Madonnina with a one-point advantage over the Rossoneri at the top of the Serie A table, having overtaken their city rivals with last night’s 3-1 win over Lazio.
Victory in the derby would give Inter a four-point lead with 15 games left and only the league to focus on.
“If they win, I think Inter could be the number one favourite for the Scudetto,” Suarez, who was an integral part of the ‘Grande Inter’ side of the 1960s, told TuttoMercatoWeb.
The Spaniard was then asked whether Inter having no other competitions barring Serie A to worry about is an advantage for them in the race for the Serie A title, which they have not won since 2009-10.
“Absolutely, because you avoid possible injuries, fatigue and mental work that takes away a lot of energy,” Suarez argued.
“In continental competitions you are also required to have considerable mental application and this can be decisive.”
Suarez proceeded to speak on Inter’s formidable strike partnership of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, who have combined for 35 goals this term and were both on target again in the win over the Biancocelesti.
“Having such a partnership like Lukaku-Lautaro, who score you goals like they do, is a nice advantage.
“One or the other scores but of course the others in the team must accompany them and not just rely on them two.”
Suarez also touched upon Christian Eriksen, whose form has improved in recent weeks and impressed against Simone Inzaghi’s side.
“It is right to use him, only by playing do you improve,” he added.
“Eriksen has always done well with his national team, you don’t forget how to play football.
“Maybe he has had personality difficulties but those who have been good players before know how to do it, you do not forget how to play.”
Conte picked Eriksen alongside Marcelo Brozovic for the second game running yesterday, with a report in this morning’s papers arguing the pair’s understanding was ‘starting to work’.
