Akanji warns Inter cannot start slowly against Milan in city derby

Inter Milan defender Manuel Akanji has warned his teammates they cannot afford another slow start when they meet AC Milan in Saturday's Derby della Madonnina.

The two sides come into the game in very different moods. Milan lost 4-2 at home to Bologna earlier this week, their first defeat of the Serie A season. Inter are still unbeaten and sit at the top of the table alongside Lazio.

But Inter have made a habit of conceding first this season, and Akanji says that must stop against a big rival.

"We can't afford to do that, especially against the big teams," Akanji told Sky Sport Italia.

The Switzerland defender said the problem is not how Inter begin games but the mistakes they make early on.

"It's not easy to give an explanation. It's not that we start badly, but sometimes we make mistakes and concede goals," he said.

He added that Inter cannot give Milan easy goals, and that Milan "will have to work hard to score."

Inter's fightback habit

Christian Chivu's side have already picked up 13 points from losing positions in Serie A this season, a record that shows both their character and their recurring problem.

Inter have not beaten Milan in any of their last seven meetings, losing five and drawing two since their last derby win in April 2024.

Milan will be eager to respond after the Bologna setback, while Inter want to protect their unbeaten run and keep pace at the top.

For Nigerian fans who follow Serie A closely, the derby is one of the season's biggest fixtures, and a win would give Inter bragging rights in the city as well as a boost in the title race.

What happens next

Saturday's result will shape the early title picture, with Inter and Lazio level at the summit. A Milan win would lift them straight back after their first loss, while another Inter comeback would raise more questions about their slow starts.