Vieira recalls Inter fans ‘frustration’ ahead of Derby d’Italia against Juventus – Video

Former midfielder Patrick Vieira believes the Derby d’Italia is traditionally ‘more important’ for Inter than Juventus, as he recalled the ‘tension’ before the games he played as a Nerazzurri player.

Vieira played one season for Juventus in 2005/2006 before moving to the Stadio San Siro in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal and spending three and a half seasons there.

Having experienced the rivalry from both sides, the ex-France international has no doubt that the Nerazzurri felt more ‘pressure’ ahead of such meetings, as he still reminds of how his former teammates regarded that match as one they couldn’t lose.

Vieira: Inter-Juventus traditionally ‘more important’ for the Nerazzurri
“When I was at Inter, these games were always important and very difficult to play,” Vieira told DAZN in an interview.

“It seems to me that this game is more important for Inter than Juventus, because there was always some frustration from Inter fans about Juventus winning the Serie A title without deserving it.

“It was always a very tough game to play on the pitch, even from a pressure standpoint; I remember the tension before the games.

“I remember talking with my [Inter] teammates and saying this is a game we can’t lose because it was so, so important for the fans.”

Inter and Juventus meet on Sunday at the San Siro, with the Nerazzurri currently sitting just one point above their rivals in the Serie A table.