Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is set for an emotionally charged encounter as his side take on Lazio on Monday, with the coach claiming his former team are Serie A title contenders.
Inzaghi's tenure as coach at Lazio spanned over five years, leading them to the Coppa Italia title in 2019, while he spent more than a decade as a player with the Rome side, lifting the Serie A title in 2000.
"For me, matches against Lazio will never be the same as any others," Inzaghi told Inter TV.
"Even though this will be the eighth time I've faced them as a coach, there's always a special feeling when returning to the Stadio Olimpico."
"I don't forget my journey there, the trophies won, both on the pitch and then on the bench. I was lucky enough to have been at Lazio. For that, I thank all my former teammates and players."
Despite his fond memories of his time with the Rome club, Inzaghi is fully focused on his work with Inter, where he hopes to win more silverware after clinching the Serie A title last season.
"(Inter is) a club where I feel great at the moment, and where I feel appreciated by everyone," he said.
"That's why I'm proud of what I'm doing here at Inter."
After a disappointing last-gasp Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, Inter will be looking to bounce back and stay in the Serie A title race. They are currently third with 31 points, six points behind leaders Atalanta, but with two games in hand.
The Italian manager is expecting a tough battle with title challengers Lazio, who are fifth on the same number of points as Inter.
"We know European matches take energy away. But it’s the same for Inter, for Lazio, and for all the teams that play in European competitions," Inzaghi said.
"In any event, I'm sure both teams will give everything to play a great match.
"We're facing a team who have won sixteen out of the 22 official matches they’ve played this season. It will be a tough match. We have to interpret it at our best.
"I said before the season started that it would be a balanced title race. With a lot of contenders, who have all strengthened. In my view it’s right to consider Lazio as being in it."