Inter defender Manuel Akanji spoke to Sky Sport the evening before the derby against Milan, reiterating that the team is physically ready and that motivation is the key to obtaining the three points.
Akanji stressed that he did not feel tired, having had a short recovery during the last match. “It's never easy, but our goal is to win,” he said, highlighting the importance of not conceding easy goals, especially against high-level opponents. The midfielder explained that Inter's recent performances have not been entirely negative, but that the errors made have allowed the opponents to have a sniff of the goal. “We cannot afford to repeat this type of performance, especially against important teams,” he added.
Regarding the ranking situation, Akanji expressed the hope that the victory against Milan can help Inter maintain their top position. “Teams close to us are picking up points and we risk having difficulty staying at the top,” he said. The derby, according to him, is one of the most important matches of the season and the team must "get the three points".
The player also spoke about the impact of international competitions on the calendar. "When you play so much, starting again immediately is complicated. The body responds, but the head sometimes less so," he explained, referring to the next break after the Club World Cup. Akanji reiterated that, despite the age of 31, it is essential to think and play as a team, with the aim of finishing well before the break.
On Milan, Akanji highlighted the defensive solidity of the Rossoneri club and the need not to allow spaces. "Milan showed that they have a low block and play intelligently. We all have to defend and make it difficult for them," he said. Inter, on the other hand, will have to exploit transitions when they have the ball, trying to exploit every opportunity.
Finally, the defender reiterated that the desire to win is the most important element to bring to the field. “A derby is also about this: demonstrating the hunger and desire to triumph from the first minute,” he concluded. With the derby scheduled for tomorrow, the entire team will have to show the motivation and determination necessary to achieve victory against their historic rival.