Inter icon Marco Materazzi believes his former side step into tonight’s derby with a clear sense of superiority over their city rivals. The Nerazzurri face Milan at San Siro at 20:45 CET, with Football Italia present at the Stadio Meazza for the clash.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 2006 World Cup winner and member of Inter’s historic 2010 treble squad highlighted the players he sees as central to Inter’s performance. Materazzi selected Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco as the trio who embody the club’s identity, stressing their importance in setting the tone in a match of this magnitude.
According to Materazzi, Inter carry the mindset of a team at the top of the table, one fully aware of its strength compared with Milan. While he acknowledged Milan’s quality and praised coach Massimiliano Allegri for his clarity and effectiveness, he insisted that Inter approach the game with the conviction of favourites.
Derby lessons and key influences
Materazzi warned that derbies often ignore logic, pointing to last season’s disappointments, including the Supercoppa defeat, which he described as emblematic of missed opportunities. He noted that Inter dropped trophies that had seemed within reach, mentioning the Scudetto among them.
Reflecting on his years alongside current Inter coach Cristian Chivu, Materazzi described the Romanian as a stabilising figure. By contrast, he admitted he became tense long before derby day, although that nervous energy sharpened his focus once on the pitch. He emphasised that precision and complete concentration are essential in games of this calibre.
When shifting to Milan’s danger men, Materazzi immediately identified Christian Pulisic for his intelligent off-the-ball runs, unpredictability and clinical edge. He also highlighted Luka Modrić’s class, arguing that the veteran midfielder has raised the Rossoneri’s technical ceiling.
Tactical threats and scoreline prediction
Materazzi urged Milan to pay close attention to Hakan Çalhanoğlu, stressing that Inter’s adjusted style allows the midfielder greater verticality and more chances to shoot from distance. He also echoed Fabio Capello’s comparison of Manuel Akanji to Modrić, saying the defender impressed him with his mentality and maturity, especially after watching him against Lazio.
Looking ahead to the outcome, Materazzi envisioned a dramatic turnaround victory for Inter. He predicted a 3–1 comeback, featuring goals from Barella and Dimarco, a scenario he felt would deliver both drama and satisfaction for the Nerazzurri.
