Former Lazio defender Giuseppe Pancaro can't pick a favourite between Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.

The two teams will meet in the Champions League round of 16.

Pancaro played at Lazio with both Atletico coach Diego Simeone and Inter's Simone Inzaghi.

He told TMW: "It is difficult to predict a favourite today, because we will have to see in what physical and mental condition the two teams will arrive in February, when the first leg will take place.

"Surely, two very strong teams will face each other: Inter are coming from a Champions League final and Atletico are used to playing matches of this level. In my opinion it will be an open game."

Asked if he knew Simeone and Inzaghi would be coaches when together at Lazio, he said: "When you play it's difficult to make a prediction like that. We are certainly talking about two people who, in their own way, already lived from football as players.

"They're two good, clean, fantastic guys, the relationship between them could only be excellent.

"Today Simone is one of the best coaches in Italy and I think that in this extraordinary moment that Inter is going through, the real added value is him."