Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar is looking forward to the Milan derby and believes that Mario Balotelli could make the difference.
Sunday’s clash at the San Siro could be a classic with so much to play for on both sides.
Indeed, Inter President Massimo Moratti and Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti have compared the occasion to a Champions League Final.
“I don’t know if this derby is like a Champions League Final because I have never played in a game of that kind, but it will certainly be a bit of a different match,” Julio Cesar said on Studio Sport.
“Not only is it a derby, there is also so much resting on it because we can qualify for the Champions League if we win and they can seal the Scudetto if they do.
“Without a doubt, it will be a special game.”
Julio Cesar will be playing against a number of compatriots and sees one as the main threat.
“Kaka is the biggest danger and can decide a game on his own as he showed last year in the Champions League,” he warned.
One Brazilian who won’t be playing is Nelson Dida, who has endured a miserable campaign punctuated by injuries and errors.
“Dida is still a role model,” Inter’s No 1 insisted. “I learned so much from him, especially when we were in the national side.”
After a breakthrough season, teenage striker Balotelli is one of the Nerazzurri main goal threats and all eyes will be on his battle with Milan’s young gun Alexandre Pato.
“It will be a big day for Mario because it’s his first derby and he will go out there so keen to prove himself,” Julio Cesar said.
“Everyone is looking forward to seeing him against Pato and I hope that Mario will come off the pitch happy, as we all know what he can do.”
Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini’s assistant Sinisa Mihajlovic has commented on rumours linking Jose Mourinho with the Beneamata bench.
“I am convinced that had Jose Mourinho arrived four years ago instead of Mancini, he wouldn’t have won what Roberto has,” he said on Sky Sport Italia. “I am certain that Mancio will stay.
“Mourinho has bought a house in Monza? Why hasn’t he bought one in the centre? If I had his money that’s what I would have done,” he quipped.
