View from the Opposition: Inter Milan

We spoke to Stefano Bertocchi, journalist for fcinternews.it, to get his verdict on how Inter Milan are shaping up heading into the game.

Saturday's match gets underway at 18:00 CET.

Let's start with the recent uptick in form - are people starting to believe in back-to-back titles?

"I would start by making something clear: the famous 'summer restructuring' and the painful sales of Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi, replaced by a number of low-cost deals, initially led the ownership to speak publicly and say that qualifying for the Champions League is the target.

"At the same time, however, Inter are the champions of Italy and clearly they will want to defend their title. After picking up some good results in head-to-head meetings with rivals, capped off by the win over Napoli that seemed to cure them of a few mental blocks, the team seem to have a greater confidence in themselves and a title bid is back on.

"Around the club the belief in a second straight title seems to be going, especially after the way the team has cut the distance at the top over the last few weeks."

Inzaghi looks to have found the perfect balance to his team. What about the side are you most excited about?

"The identity. I think you've seen great examples of this over the last two games, against Venezia and Spezia: the absences of De Vrij, Bastoni and Ranocchia at the same time has meant that the defensive has changed around a lot, yet the attitude and approach has remained consistent throughout.

"Bastoni and Skriniar have looked comfortable at the centre of a three-man defence when called upon this season, despite it being their first such experience there. After conceding a few too many goals at the start of the season, now Inzaghi seems to have found a setup that guarantees a better balance.

"It feels like this Inter team has a good understanding of what they need to do in the various moments of the match, even if perhaps they still aren't quite killing off games when they have the opportunity. But also this Inter team seems to play good football with a greater sense of unpredictability - under Conte the attack was more mechanical, with everything working in a specific manner in order to provide Lukaku and Lautaro with chances.

"This year it feels like there is a greater level of freedom afforded to the players and a few different tactical solutions - with different attacking pairings especially. Dzeko-Lautaro, Lautaro-Dzeko, Dzeko-Correa, Lautaro-Sanchez, Dzeko-Sanchez and, even if it is hardly happened, Correa-Sanchez.

"They are all helped out by the quality of the midfielders and wide players. On the flanks perhaps they lack a real top player like Hakimi, but someone like him is impossible to replace."

Will the coach rotate his side, do you think?

"I wouldn't say he will rotate, but maybe he will be forced into certain changes - especially in defence. Skriniar is the only one certain to play there, with Bastoni a doubt and De Vrij likely to be back next week.

"In attack Dzeko will be back and in midfield so will Barella, after both had a break in midweek. I think Inzaghi will put out his best side, and only start thinking about Real Madrid after the final whistle blows on Saturday."

What will it be like to go up against Jose Mourinho for the first time?

"It will be special, without doubt. And it's not by chance that I use that word. Mourinho wrote a part of Inter's history, and surely Inter helped to write a bit of his too.

"Seeing him in the opposition dugout will be different, but around the club I think they will only see him as an enemy for 90 minutes - no longer than that."

Which Roma players do you think could cause Inter the most trouble on Saturday?

"Unlike in seasons past, when Inter would drop deeper in order to create more space for the likes of Lukaku and Hakimi to exploit on the counter-attack, this team pushes higher up the pitch, reducing the spaces and putting more men into the opposition half. Sometimes there are as many as six pushing forward.

"So that approach could risk leaving them a bit open on the counter-attack. And Roma definitely have players capable of taking advantage of any space they get - like Mkhitaryan, Zaniolo, Perez and Shomurodov. Given Abraham is out suspended, I think those four will create the most danger.

And finally, what's your prediction for the game?

"In the last few seasons the Stadio Olimpico has been a tough place for Inter to go - last season this game finished 2-2, and in recent years a lot of the meetings have gone that sort of way.

"I don't like to make predictions but I am expecting an exciting game. And I hope it lives up to tradition and has plenty of goals too."