Manuel Akanji said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia on Friday that Inter must avoid a slow start against Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday. The first derby of the season kicks off at 19.45 GMT on Saturday, with Milan the designated home side.
Akanji sets out Inter's aim
Akanji said: "I don’t feel tired physically, I had a bit of a rest during the last game. It’s never easy. Our goal is to win, that’s the most important thing, and is also the case against Milan. We hope to succeed."
He also said: "It’s still early, but of course it would be great to win this game. The teams close to us are picking up points and it will be difficult to stay up there. For us, the derby is one of the most important games of the season, we want to get the three points."
Warning over mistakes and goals conceded
Akanji said: "It’s not easy to give an explanation. It’s not that we start badly, but sometimes we make mistakes and concede goals. 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."
Inter have picked up 13 points from losing positions in Serie A so far this season.
Standings and derby record
Inter are top of the standings alongside Lazio with an unbeaten league start intact, having recorded eight victories and one draw for 25 points. A win on Saturday would open up a 10-point gap above Milan.
Milan lost 4-2 at home against Bologna earlier that week, their first league defeat of the 2026-27 season. Inter have not beaten Milan in any of their last seven meetings, losing five and drawing two since their last derby victory in April 2024.
What Inter must show
Akanji said: "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."
Akanji also said Inter all have to defend, make things difficult for Milan and take advantage on transitions when they have the ball.
