Stramaccioni: “Inter are fired-up”

ANDREA STRAMACCIONI does not intend to do anyone any favors and says Inter have a lot to lose too.

There is a lot at stake in tomorrow’s derby as Sunday’s evening could be the most important day of the entire season when Inter host Milan at San Siro and Cagliari take on Juventus in Trieste simultaneously.

Milan need a victory in the derby and hope Juventus slip-up in order to take the lead in Serie A, but Inter have a lot to play for as well, even though a Napoli win over Bologna would end their UCL dreams.

Allegri: “Milan must win the derby”
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“Maybe I’m being overly casual but I don’t feel apprehensive about tomorrow,” Inter boss Stramaccioni, who defeated Milan twice with the Primavera, said in the pre-match press conference. “We’re desperate to get out there and play it. We were fired up before but even more so now; we’re as fired up as you can get.

“There’s a special atmosphere, it’s a different sort of game and you can sense that around the city but also beyond. It’s extremely exciting, especially with everything there is riding on it. We can’t wait to get out there. Not only are we charged up for Milan, we’re also determined to bounce back from our defeat to Parma.” Asked if it’s better to do Juventus a favour, or Milan, Stramaccioni said: “It makes no difference…

“Wednesday’s defeat hasn’t taken the wind out of our sails, but you’ll see that for yourselves tomorrow. I don’t want to say too much. You’ll see on the pitch tomorrow, from kick-off right up to the final whistle.

“I say this as respectfully as possible: I’m not interested in what happens to Milan, whether they win the title or not. That’s their season. All I care about is us. We’re playing a team that’s ahead of us in the table but I’m certain that their squad is not 22 points better than ours. However, the verdict is always given on the pitch. Which player would I like to take out of Milan? I think it’s right that they should have everyone available, just as I hope to have all of my players at their best. That way we all get to see the best derby possible.”

Stramaccioni, who is younger than some players at Milan, is the fifth manager Coach Massimiliano Allegri meets in just two seasons. Allegri has beaten three different Inter bosses, only fell to Claudio Ranieri.