Akanji Urges Inter to Start Strong in Derby Clash Against Milan
Manuel Akanji has called on his Inter teammates to come out strong against rivals AC Milan in the upcoming Derby della Madonnina on Saturday evening. The defender emphasized that the Rossoneri will need to ‘work hard’ for any scoring opportunities.
The much-anticipated match is set to kickoff at 19:45 GMT, with Milan designated as the home team. They are looking to recover from a disappointing 4-2 defeat at home to Bologna earlier this week, marking their first loss in the 2026-27 league season.
In contrast, Inter sits at the top of the Serie A standings, sharing the lead with Lazio. Their unbeaten run features eight victories and one draw, bringing their total points to 25.
Akanji, speaking in an interview with Sky Sport Italia, expressed his readiness for the match after starting on the bench in the recent game against Venezia. “I don’t feel tired physically; I had a bit of a rest during the last game,” he said. He underscored the importance of securing a win, especially against Milan, stating, “Our goal is to win, that’s the most important thing.”
When asked about Inter’s habit of starting slowly and often conceding the first goal this season, Akanji noted, “It’s not easy to give an explanation… We can’t afford to do that, especially against the big teams.” He added, “We know that we can’t start like that against Milan, we can’t give away easy goals. They will have to work hard to score.”
A victory for Inter would create a significant 10-point advantage over their city rivals, but Akanji cautioned against getting ahead of themselves regarding the Scudetto race. “It’s still early, but of course it would be great to win this game. For us, the derby is one of the most important games of the season; we want to get the three points,” he remarked.
Additionally, Akanji reflected on the impact of the expanded 2026 World Cup on Inter’s preparations, explaining that past tournaments like the Club World Cup and the Euros created a busy schedule, making recovery challenging. He added, “Fortunately, next year, there will be a proper break.”
Inter has struggled against Milan in recent meetings, failing to secure a win in their last seven encounters, with five losses and two draws since their last victory in April 2024. Akanji attributed this issue to Milan’s tactical efficiency, emphasizing the need for solid defense and effective transitions.
As for what Inter needs to focus on for their upcoming match, he concluded, “The desire to win. That’s what counts in a derby. We have to show it from the first minute and not just bring a sense of hunger, but the desire to go and win. Mentality is what drives desire.”
