Ex Inter Milan & Roma Midfielder Backs Nerazzurri To Claim Derby d’Italia Bragging Rights: “Inter Will Win” | OneFootball

Former midfielder Radja Nainggolan has offered his prediction regarding the upcoming Serie A showdown between Juventus and Inter Milan.

Speaking on YouTube channel Fantalab via FCInterNews, the ex-Inter star backed the Nerazzurri to take three points in Turin.

Inter Milan will head to the Allianz Stadium to take on their arch-rivals on Saturday in their first post-international break fixture.

However, there’s more than just bragging rights at stake in this iconic match-up.

Indeed, after a 5-0 demolition of Torino, Inter slumped to a 2-1 home loss to perennial strugglers Udinese.

Therefore, new manager Cristian Chivu has already started feeling the heat.

There’s no better way to alleviate the pressure than beating direct title rivals on their home ground.

Yet, that could be easier said than done, especially given Inter’s long-term struggles on this venue.

For context, they’ve only won two away league games against Juventus since 2014.

Radja Nainggolan Backs Inter Milan to Beat Juventus in Serie A Derby

Getty Images

There’s no doubt that the Derby d’Italia is one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in European football.

Furthermore, the stakes are even higher when factoring in both teams’ Scudetto aspirations this season.

“Inter will win,” Radja Nainggolan said. “For me, they remain the strongest side in Serie A.

“Inzaghi had the best squad in Italy over the last four years and won only one Scudetto.

“For me that’s too little. The Nerazzurri are far superior to the others.”

Then, Nainggolan recalled Lautaro Martinez’s beginnings at San Siro.

“He didn’t play because Icardi was on the pitch,” the Belgian ace added. “But you could already see he was very strong, though ahead of him was the team’s captain.

“Then a little issue happened before a match in Frankfurt, and Icardi pulled out for reasons that don’t concern me.

“From that moment on Lautaro started playing, and in the few minutes the coach gave him, he scored goals.

“He was better at linking up play compared to Icardi, who, however, has no equal inside the box.”