EXCLUSIVE: Aldo Serena on Derby d'Italia, Juve's finances and more

'Aldito' is one of the few players to have had the privilege of wearing the jersey of the three Serie A champions.

And it is for this reason that he has experienced the Derby d'Italia on both the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri sides: "With the Juventus shirt I played two, both at the San Siro, even managing to score on one occasion," Serena said.

"With the Inter shirt, on the other hand, I played the Derby d'Italia many times, scoring both at home and away. In those years for the Nerazzurri, we were challenging the strongest. In the 1980s, Juve were the reference point, they won championships with ease. They were always tough and difficult matches."

In addition to recalling his Inter and Juve days, the former Italy centre-forward shared his views on the current situation of the two clubs in an exclusive interview with Flashscore.

FS: What kind of match do you expect?

AS: "Inter arrive happy to have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. And although they came back from Porto with a few scratches, when they achieve a result like that - and they haven't managed it for many years - morale is very high. So in that respect, the Nerazzurri will be ready for the challenge. Juventus have had many injuries since the start of the season. Pogba has been stopped again... The Bianconeri, however, is a team that when it defends knows how to counter-attack well. In the early game they have some difficulties, but I believe that Inter will build (toward) the opponent's half with many players, as they usually do, and this could play to Juve's game."

Despite the result, we did not see a brilliant Inter in Porto... 

"I didn't expect a different game. The last 20-25 minutes were of great suffering, but by that time we had run out of energy. Inzaghi tried with the changes, but the team was tired. The goal in the first leg led them to play that way and, although they also had a few opportunities in attack, the prize of qualification must be given to Onana. In the second half at San Siro he made some amazing saves and he was also decisive in Porto."

At the end of the match, Inzaghi recognised what he's achieved with the Nerazzurri. Were Inter right to renew their trust in him after the Scudetto lost last year?

"Inzaghi certainly had his own responsibilities, but the players also had theirs. The Bologna episode was key. I consider him a good coach and from a personal point of view I can also understand his outburst, but I do not share it. At these levels, you have to have the toughness and depth to withstand criticism. It (his outburst) would have made sense at the end of the season, but not now when the Champions League quarter-finals are to be played and the team is not yet sure of fourth place. But it fits. Sometimes, swallowing a lot of things leads you to vent in a not very rational way."

Shortly before, Marotta had talked about Lukaku and Lautaro - the former returning to Chelsea in summer, and not guaranteeing the latter to stay...

"Ambiguities and hypocrisies have always been there in football. Sometimes for good, to keep the dressing room united. Some managers even told me 'you'll see, you'll stay' and then it didn't happen that way, but they told me that to keep me focused. Marotta is a shrewd and far-sighted manager and that's why I was a bit surprised by (Lukaku's) exit. He probably wanted to explain the current situation to the world. A bit like saying - we as executives would like to tell everyone that this is how things are and we can only go in one direction, which is to save money."

From a company for sale to one to be saved... what are your thoughts on Juve's legal troubles?

"The origin of the evil was to go and get Ronaldo at those frightening figures, out of the market for what the Italian league was. From there on, there was a whole concatenation of situations, including COVID-19, which led to some objective management difficulties and carelessness. And now, probably, some things will come to the boil. There was a misjudgement, perhaps because of the ambition to win the Champions League, and they lost the rationality they had until then."

As a former striker, how do you assess Vlahovic's current form?

"When you play football there are always difficult moments. And this, by the way, is a very delicate moment for the club. He started well because he has all the physical and technical characteristics to do well. The (coaches) have pushed him in training. It (can be) annoying because one day you (are able to train), two days you aren't, then pain returns and you can't train. Now, however, physically his situation seems to have fixed itself. From a psychological point of view, however, you can see that he is committed and that he would like to break the world, but he has lost a bit of tranquillity and coolness that he absolutely must have to get back to his old self. But he has everything to do it again."

Despite the 15 points deduction, do you see Juve making Champions League qualification?

"I spent two years at Juventus and I learnt there how to never lose heart. How, even when the numbers give you a slim chance, to still believe. At Juve there is this way of thinking historically and, therefore, I am convinced that they believe in it and are working for it and will do so until mathematics says otherwise. And they are right to do so because in the past they have brought home many successes this way too."

Would you bet on Inzaghi and Allegri coaching Inter and Juve again next season?

"If Allegri manages to pull off a comeback and finish in the top four, despite the 15 penalty points, how could it not be him coaching Juventus next year? And if Inzaghi were to reach the Champions League final, how could they not give him another chance?"

In short, only results count... 

"Boy, do they count! Then, it's clear that for those who play as exuberantly as (Manchester) City it's different. But if Guardiola does not win the Champions League this time either - and it has been more than 10 years since the last time - even if he is the best coach in the world, you have doubts. He is without doubt the coach who manages to transmit the most ideas and improve his players, but if in the end you don't win..."