'Juve wanted Messi on loan!'

By Football Italia staff

Fabio Capello expects the Derby d’Italia to be won “in midfield” and reveals Juventus tried to sign Lionel Messi “on loan” when he was their Coach.

Inter and Juve both remain unbeaten in Serie A going into Sunday’s showdown at San Siro, and Capello had his say on the fixture.

“It’ll be an interesting game for both teams,” the 73-year-old told Sky Sport Italia.

“Juventus will be without Chiellini against a team who come forward with great pace, while the Nerazzurri will have to show the same character they’ve showed so far.

“So far, Inter haven’t faced any great teams: they had the derby, but the Milan of today aren’t a team who create so many problems. The match will be decided in midfield.”

The former Bianconeri boss watched Messi’s Barca beat the Beneamata 2-1 in the Champions League last night...

“I met Messi for the first time when he was 16 in the Gamper Trophy. When he came on to the pitch, he sent the fans into a frenzy: I went over and asked Rijkaard if he could loan him to us.

“They had a problem with the three non-EU players they could deploy, but he told me they’d still find a way to deploy him...”

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