Ex Inter Midfielder Dejan Stankovic Predicts ‘Beautiful Game’ Against Lazio | OneFootball

Former Inter and Lazio midfielder Dejan Stankovic looks ahead to the big game between the two sides, and predicts a “beautiful game” at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Biancocelesti are just one point behind Antonio Conte’s side in third place, with Juventus and Inter level at the top.

The match is likely to have a huge bearing on the Scudetto ambitions of both sides, with 60,000 tickets already sold and 10,000 Nerazzurri fans expected to attend.

Stankovic played over 200 games for Lazio, helping them to win the title in 2000 before moving to San Siro in January 2004.

He made 326 appearances for the Beneamata, winning five Scudetti and forming part of the side that won the Treble under Jose Mourinho in the 2009-10 season.

Ahead of tomorrow’s game he spoke to Il Messaggero about the prospects of both of his former sides.

“I’m excited and proud, and also lucky because I played for wonderful teams,” Stankovic said.

“With the Biancocelesti I became a man, footballer and champion, with the Nerazzurri I had my consecration.

“I could have left Lazio for free in June but we made sure to bring the deal forward. The club got the money and also a good player like [Goran] Pandev. It wasn’t a bad deal for anyone.

“I think this is a match of confirmations, certainties and motivations. Whoever wins will have proven themselves but whoever is stopped isn’t out of it.

“The Biancocelesti play good football, it’s exciting to watch them. And Conte has a team that’s constructed well in every department.

“He’s a great Coach, in the derby he turned the match on its head in 45 minutes and won it.

“Simo [Simone Inzaghi] has done an incredible job, he’s become a top tier Coach worthy of a top club. He grasped the opportunity he was given.

“I’m happy, a little surprised at how successful he has become, but overjoyed. And he deserves it. I wish him the best, but he already knows that.

“We were inseperable [at Lazio], we were all crazy for football but he and his brother Filippo took it to extremes!

“Especially Simo, he dedicates himself to his work in an incredible way.

“When we were playing he already knew everything about everyone – formations, tactics, everything.

“It really impressed Sven [Goran Eriksson] and Mancio [Roberto Mancini].

“We really had great teachers like Eriksson, Mancini and also [Alberto] Zaccheroni. Then I had Jose Mourinho and Sinisa Mihajlovic, but he is my dad and my brother.

“Naturally it will be a beautiful game. [Romelu] Lukaku and Lautaro will make the Biancocelesti defenders suffer, with [Ciro] Immobile doing the same with those of Inter.”

Mihajlovic was then urged to get off the fence and predict a winner.

“I can’t do it!

“They’re two teams I hold in my heart and they’ll fight to the end for the Scudetto, I’m sure of it.”

Stankovic’s son, Filip, could be on the bench as Inter’s third goalkeeper.

“I don’t know [if he will be], I was proud that he was there for the derby but he’s young and has a long way to go.

“He and Stefan, my other son, were born in Rome and the youngest Aleksandar in Milan. We’ll see.

“For Inter and Lazio the Scudetto road is long, very long.”