Serie A and Inter legend Ivan Zamorano insists the Nerazzurri were ‘robbed’ in 1998 during a key Serie A match against Juventus.
Bianconeri and Nerazzurri meet on Sunday evening at San Siro.
Former Chile international Zamorano often faced the Old Lady during his playing career and previewed the upcoming fixture during an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It’s one of the biggest games in the world,” he said.
“Perhaps the Spanish Clasico is more mediatic, but does anyone want to miss what happens at San Siro? Inter-Juventus simply is history.”
Inter and Juventus are among the favourites to win the Serie A title this season and just one point separates Nerazzurri and Bianconeri in the table, although Napoli are the current leaders. The Serie A title race will be wide open until the very end of the season and if you want to predict the next Scudetto winner, bet365 new customer offers a £10 bonus for a £10 bet.
“Inter have built a competitive team against everything and everyone, even in the Champions League,” said Zamorano.
“Perhaps they must fix some little problems they didn’t have last season, but they can play on par against everyone. Just think about how they played against Manchester City. They deserved to win, also in the latest meeting in Manchester.”
On the other hand, Juventus “have changed a lot,” said Zamorano.
“More than players, they’ve changed their identity, so they’ll need time. I like Vlahovic even if he is not as consistent as Inter strikers.”
Referee controversies have historically surrounded games between Inter and Juventus. The biggest dispute was in 1998 when the Nerazzurri appealed for a penalty kick for a potential Mark Iulian foul on Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
“How can I forget about that robbery?” said Zamorano.
“I will never forget [referee] Ceccarini and the Scudetto we deserved to win. However, I also remember a 3-0 victory Coppa Italia win in Turin in 1996-97.”
New Juventus coach Thiago Motta is also an Inter legend, having won the treble under José Mourinho in 2010.
“Many players, not only Thiago, have won at Inter and are appreciated. They have a special bond,” argued Zamorano.
“People don’t judge you for the trophies, but for the commitment. I am not saying that the others didn’t give their all, but I was a warrior and I was ready for anything for the Nerazzurri,” concluded the ex-Chile striker.
Zamorano spent five seasons at Inter, joining the Nerazzurri in 1996 from Real Madrid.
He scored 40 goals in 149 appearances with the Serie A giants, winning one UEFA Cup in 1997-98.