Akanji: ‘Inter can’t afford a poor start vs. Milan, they have to work hard if they want to score’
MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 17: Manuel Akanji of FC Internazionale Milano warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Manuel Akanji has urged his Inter teammates to avoid having a slow start against rivals Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday evening, insisting that the Rossoneri will have to ‘work hard’ if they want to score.
Akanji previews Milan vs. Inter derby: ‘We can’t give away easy goals’
The first Derby della Madonnina of the season is taking place at 19.45 GMT on Saturday evening. Milan are the designated home side and are hoping to bounce back after a 4-2 defeat at home against Bologna earlier this week: Their first league defeat of the 2026-27 season.
Inter, meanwhile, sit at the top of the standings along with Lazio with their unbeaten start to the league season still intact. They have eight victories and one draw for 25 points on their record thus far.
Akanji, speaking in an interview with Sky Sport Italia on Friday, insists that he is ready and raring to go after starting on the bench against Venezia earlier this week.
“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,” said the Switzerland international.
Akanji was asked for his take on Inter’s tendency to start slowly and concede first this season. The Nerazzurri have picked up 13 points from losing positions so far this Serie A season.
“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,” said Akanji. “Sometimes you might get away with it, especially if the opponents don’t convert the chances they create.
“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 on Saturday would open up a 10-point gap above their city rivals, but Akanji insists that it is far too early to start talking about the Scudetto.
“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.”
Akanji was also asked if the expanded 2026 World Cup has had an impact on Inter’s preparations in the early stages of the 2026-27 season.
He replied: “It’s not just about that, we have to think about the last few years as well. Before that, there was the Club World Cup and the Euros the summer before. Fortunately, next year, there will be a proper break. When you play as much as that, starting again straight away is difficult.
“You might be happy, maybe you had a good World Cup, maybe you need a rest, but there’s no time. The body responds to the present, the mind less so. It’s not easy. I’m 31 years old now, we have to think and play as a team. We want to finish well before the international break.”
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. So, what has been the reason behind that?
“Last year, Milan showed us their low block and played intelligently. We can’t give away easy chances. We all have to defend and make things difficult for them. We have to take advantage on transitions when we have the ball.”
And what will be the most important thing for Inter to do when they step out against Milan on Saturday?
“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.”
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