Costacurta: "Inter and Milan in front, but... watch out for Juve"

The former Rossoneri: "Those two stubborn people, Chiesa and Vlahovic, are able to be devastating in attack: without cups the Bianconeri are part of the Scudetto fight"

"The Scudetto? Inter the strongest, then I say Napoli, then Milan.But beware of Juventus, without cups and with those two stubborn people in front he can fight until the end.' Alessandro “Billy” Costacurta, Milan's flag and Sky's favorite voice since 2010, makes the cards to the championship after the first three days and at the dawn of a derby that could have a taste of ... second star.

Costacurta, the match on September 16th in San Siro will tell who is the strongest of the two Milanese?

"Today Inter are stronger, because the results of the four derbies of 2023 are there to prove it and because Inzaghi's team is ahead in the understanding between the players. It is true that both have changed a lot, but the Inter owners are at the moment almost the same ones who played the Champions League final a few months ago. That said, it is not certain that Inter will still be ahead in nine months because Milan have made a good team that can only grow. "

Did you expect them to be already at this point after the summer revolution?

"Yes, they carried out a market with the intention of starting strong. In particular, Milan who chose more European players because they knew that being in the third tier would have a tougher Champions League group.'

Speaking of Champions: Can the Milanese repeat themselves?

"Last year there were a couple of special and also lucky situations, but I believe that today both are stronger and have more awareness. If before the goal was to pass the group, today both, but I also think of Napoli, they aim for the quarterfinals.'

Inter and Milan will have two different groups.

"Clearly the Inter group on paper is passable, but a team like Salzburg, with so many interesting young people, in a race can always put you in trouble. And the trips with Benfica and Real Sociedad won't be a walk in the park.'

And Milan who will see it with Psg, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund?

'He will have to play six battles, all teams will take points. It will count to start well, but above all to end up great."

Manchester City still a favourite?

'Yes, in front of Bayern. Having finally won the cup, City have taken off a weight, they will play with less pressure. Sure, the players won't have to relax too much, but Guardiola isn't the type to let the tension down.”

Returning to Serie A and Milan: how surprised did Maldini's farewell surprise you?

'A lot, like everyone else. I can only say that Paolo is a resource in whatever environment you put him, but he has to do something he likes, not the simple flag. In recent years he has shown that he knows how to do that job, but now Milan has chosen another methodology, which I do not judge. We'll see the results.'

In the locker room could you feel the emptiness left by Maldini and also by Ibrahimovic?

"I don't think so, because this is no longer the Milan of two-three years ago, the boys have grown up, now they are men. And in addition, we must recognize how Pioli became a very good coach. He's always had good ideas, now he's safer in applying them.'

Inter and Milan therefore come back from a large market, strong and fighting for the Scudetto. But do you see any critical issues to pay attention to?

"Milan will have no problems in midfield and in attack, so I put my attention on the defense. Pioli's season passes from the performances of Tomori, Thiaw and Kalulu: if they raise the level compared to last year, then Milan will be able to reach the bottom of any competition. This is the great unknown.'

What about Inter?

'If the Nerazzurri matched the bar they reached last year, they would have already achieved great success. I think the puzzle for Inzaghi is in attack where Dzeko and Lukaku lost, but if Thuram will always be the one seen against Fiorentina, then ... Keeping this in mind Lautaro: after the World Cup, played badly, something hit him and today he feels like a great striker and I don't see many stronger than him around.'