The Milan derby promises to be the most crucial match for Inter, according to coach Cristian Chivu. In a press conference in Appiano Gentile, Chivu reiterated that, despite the position in the standings, the team must face Milan with the same intensity as a normal championship match. “It's a derby, so it's extra motivation,” he said. "We must not let ourselves be distracted from our journey so far; we must be our best self and wonder if we haven't won in seven matches." The coach underlined the importance of making extra sacrifices and not taking anything for granted, recalling the decisive moments of the year before the first leg.
German defender Manuel Akanji expressed the same urgency, saying victory was crucial to keeping the team in contention for the closest points. “Milan played with a low block last year, so we have to defend with rigor and make life difficult for them,” he added. Akanji also underlined the importance of exploiting transitions and showing the desire to triumph from the first minute, defining mentality as a key element for success.
For midfielder Andy Diouf, the match represents a dream come true. “The derby is huge, it's different, it's the dream I had as a child,” he told DAZN France. Diouf expressed his determination to win this match, underlining the importance of this result for Inter fans.
With the match scheduled, Inter aims to consolidate their position in the standings and demonstrate that they are ready to compete with Milan. Victory would be a decisive step for the team and a clear message to rivals: “Winning the derby is our priority.”