Manuel Akanji issues Inter warning ahead of Milan derby as Nerazzurri eye massive Scudetto advantage

Manuel Akanji, the Swiss defender for FC Internazionale Milano, has warned his teammates against a sluggish start in Saturday's Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan. Akanji emphasized that Inter cannot afford to concede easy goals, especially against their city rivals, as the match could have significant implications for the title race.

Inter currently sits atop the Serie A standings alongside Lazio, boasting an unbeaten record in the 2026-27 campaign with 25 points from eight wins and a draw. On the other hand, AC Milan is eager to recover from their recent 4-2 defeat to Bologna, marking their first league loss of the season.

Despite their league dominance, Inter has struggled recently in this fixture, failing to beat Milan in their last seven attempts since April 2024, including five defeats and two draws. Akanji highlighted the team's tendency to concede early and stressed the importance of focusing and taking control of the game. He also addressed the mental aspect, emphasizing the desire to win as crucial in breaking Milan's winless streak in this derby.

Inter's physical toll from a packed fixture list, compounded by the 2026 World Cup, has also affected their performance, but the team is working on maintaining their focus and playing as a cohesive unit before the international break.