In the 12th round of Serie A, Inter Milan will face Milan at home. Inter Milan legend Materazzi accepted an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport before the derby.

You bought the historic Lilli Cinema in Perugia, where your wife used to watch movies as a child.

The cinema closed in 2002, and now 23 years later - exactly my jersey number - I decided to take this step with my wife. This will become a multi-functional cultural center and we have received support from relevant departments. I will set up a museum of memorabilia on the side of the cinema, and there will also be a place for the Milan derby, maybe with Ronaldo’s shirts, but also those of his Inter team-mates and Milan’s opponents.

If Milan Derby were a movie, what type of movie do you think it would be?

As a player, I would have answered a thriller, but now I would say a romantic movie. Perceptions change and adrenaline gives way to nostalgia.

What do you miss most?

Walking in the San Siro stadium wearing the jersey, I put my hands in my pockets and observed every corner of the stadium. Then I walked under the Milan South Stand, folded my hands, and seemed to be listening to the various things the opposing fans said to me. Yes, I miss the derby too.

Who took your place today, staring at the Milan fans’ stands?

Barella, Bastoni, Dimarco, they are Inter fans like me. They are key players in derbies and convey to other players what it means to play this kind of game. Teammates look at them and understand the atmosphere.

How is the atmosphere at Inter Milan?

The atmosphere of the frontrunners, they know that they are stronger than Milan. It won't be easy, quite the contrary, because Milan are doing well, with good players, a strong midfield and a manager who knows how to deal with it. Allegri may not have provided great games, but he always knew what he was supposed to do.

Is Inter Milan the favorite to win the Derby?

In this kind of game, there may be other answers on the court. Just like last season, we failed to win a single derby. The 2-3 derby defeat in the Italian Super Cup was like a microcosm of last season: we lost the trophy that was already in our pocket, and of course I also thought about the Serie A title.

This is Chivu’s first Milan derby as a coach. Do you still remember the first Milan derby you played together?

December 2007, during the Christmas period. Milan had just returned from winning the Club World Cup in Japan and we lined up to salute them before the game started and they took the lead but we won 2-1. It's like a very artistic thriller.

Chivu said he was calm. How was his emotion when facing the Milan Derby as a player?

He is very calm and is simply a role model. And I'm the most nervous person and it became unbearable from a week ago. But on the pitch, the nerves subside and winning a derby requires attention to detail, and if you let your guard down you could encounter difficult results.

Who do you think is the most threatening opponent player in this Milan derby?

Pulisic, his movements are unpredictable and very calm. Then there's Modric, a true champion who injects a proud quality into Milan that not all teams possess. He can still play so many games at 40 years old, and he has almost no injuries in his career. However, Milan should also be careful of Inter Milan's Calhanoglu, not only because of his playing style, but also because in Inter Milan's new tactics, Calhanoglu's position has moved forward, with more direct passes and long shots.

Capello praised Akanji as an outstanding signing from Inter Milan, who can be compared with Milan's introduction of Modric.

There is absolutely no problem in saying so. I didn't expect Akanji to be so good, I watched him live against Lazio and realized Inter had made a good deal. Winning mentality, character, experience... he has everything it takes.

Do you think Inter Milan should start Acerbi or Biesek?

Acerbi has played many derbies, but Milan does not have a real No. 9 center, and this tactic may cause him trouble. I have always thought that Bisek is more of a central defender, both physically and technically. The coach needs to have the courage to employ people, and Chivu happens to be very courageous. Now Inter Milan has the future central defender at home.

Lautaro and Thuram once again partnered up front

Pio Esposito and Bony performed very well, but Lautaro and Thuram are the two guarantees. Thuram Jr. can improve the team's strength, and with him, the team's strength increases exponentially.

Finally, what do you hope the ideal plot of this Milan derby will be?

Inter Milan reversed the victory 3-1, with Varela and Dimarco scoring one goal each. There's no shortage of plot points: twists, moments, happy endings.