Milan Defender Koni De Winter Confident Ahead of Derby della Madonnina
AC Milan defender Koni De Winter expresses confidence in his team’s ability to face Inter Milan, despite the unexpected tactical changes from their rivals in the upcoming Derby della Madonnina. He stated, “We have a solid base and trust ourselves,” reaffirming the team’s commitment as they prepare for the crucial match at the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, kicking off at 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET).
This match is particularly significant as the Rossoneri aim to extend their impressive record against Inter, having not lost to their city rivals since April 2024, achieving five victories and two draws in their last seven encounters.
De Winter underscored the team’s readiness, noting, “We feel ready for this match and want to find the energy that we were lacking in our most recent outing.” However, recent performances have left some concerns, as the team faced their first Serie A defeat of the season with a 4-2 loss to Bologna midweek, adding pressure following Europa League losses to both Benfica and Bournemouth.
In preparation for this derby, Inter has altered their formation to a 3-4-2-1, featuring Andy Diouf and Petar Sucic in advanced roles supporting lone striker Marcus Thuram. De Winter remained unfazed, stating, “We have our own tactical principles and we trust those. If something goes wrong during the match, then the coach is always ready to see what we are missing and make adjustments.”
The injury situation for Milan is gradually improving, with Mario Gila, Adrien Rabiot, and Diego Moreira returning to the lineup. However, the team still misses several key players, including Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, Samuel Chukwueze, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Pietro Terracciano as they navigate through this challenging fixture.
