Nicola Berti believes Milan have ‘no chance’ of beating Inter in the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday, even if Franck Kessie tries to neutralise Marcelo Brozovic.
The showdown kicks off on Saturday at 17.00 GMT at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“The midfield is where this game will be decided,” former Inter player Berti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“As far as I see, Milan have no chance of winning. Simone Inzaghi’s midfield trio is so well-matched, they look like they’ve been playing together for a lifetime.
“They have such intensity and harmony, I doubt Milan can handle the comparison.”
Hakan Calhanoglu faces his former club along with Brozovic and Nicolò Barella, while Milan are expected to play Ismael Bennacer, Sandro Tonali and move Kessie into a more advanced role to mark the Croatian.
“Inzaghi has nothing to fear,” insisted Berti. “Stefano Pioli can try to smother Brozovic by putting a pitbull like Kessie on him, but that would only free up space for Barella and Calhanoglu.
“Honestly, I don’t see how Pioli can try to neutralise the Inter midfield. It will be Barella’s game, I expect a lot from him. He is a force of nature, one of those players who fires up the fans and never holds back.
“Plus he is suspended against Liverpool in the Champions League, so will be out to prove a point.”