Juve tie vital, says Stramaccioni

Andrea Stramaccioni is hoping to celebrate his year in charge of Inter by beating Juventus on Saturday.

“This game is absolutely vital to us, both in terms of the importance for the standings as well as for how much it means to us,” he told Inter Channel.

“We’ll tackle it giving even more than our all, giving 101 per cent. We’re going to work hard this week and be ready for kick-off in a full San Siro.”

The young tactician was handed the Nerazzurri hotseat a year ago today after a loss at Juventus saw Claudio Ranieri axed.

“It changed my life,” he added. “Sometimes I still can’t believe it because it’s a dream for me to be experiencing this job on this stage in the first person.”

On receiving the phone call from President Massimo Moratti informing him that he was to take over, Stramaccioni said: “Time comes to a standstill in a moment like that… You feel emotion, pride and even a bit of fear over whether you’ll be up to it or not.”

The former Roma youth team sector tactician also remembers two victories in particular on the Inter hotseat.

“The win in the first derby will always remain in my memory. Seeing a packed San Siro coloured blue and black, and such a strong Milan side, even if they didn’t win the League. It was an incredible rush.

“And then the win in Turin against a Juventus side that hadn’t lost for 50 games.

“Inter stunned the Juventus Stadium and we got to see our fans celebrating in their section as the rest of the stadium emptied out.”