Icardi: "I would love to score against AC Milan"

APPIANO GENTILE – Mauro Icardi has admitted he would relish a first goal against Inter’s old enemy AC Milan when the teams do battle on Saturday lunchtime.

"As Inter captain, it would definitely be an amazing feeling to score against AC Milan, but as I said earlier in the season it’s not something I’m worried about," said Icardi, speaking alongside coach Stefano Pioli at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Icardi insisted that the squad has taken the time to figure out what went wrong in the last two games and is now looking to the future.

"We’ve analysed everything that happened against Sampdoria and Crotone," he said. "We’re working for the present and the future. Sunday’s game is in the past now and we need to look ahead because we have some big matches coming up. I don’t like making promises – we do our talking on the pitch. As I said after the Sampdoria match, two defeats can’t erase all the good work we’ve done with the coach over the past six months."

Icardi also responded to the comments made by Piero Ausilio in the wake of the loss to Crotone.

"A sporting director has to try to motivate the team – that’s his job," said the Inter captain. "We have to perform well and when that doesn’t happen it’s to be expected that everyone does their best to change the situation. Our attitude wasn’t good against Crotone but nobody expected that.

"We were all angry, not just myself. That wasn’t the real us – that performance wasn’t good enough for Inter. Having said that, it’s in the past now and we need to look to the future because we have seven important games left to play."

The striker has scored more goals at home this season than he has on the road, pointing to the support of San Siro as the main reason for his scoring record at San Siro.

"Obviously, playing in front of my home supporters is fantastic and makes me feel more comfortable," he said. "That said, I think it’s mainly a coincidence. I see myself as a consistent striker – I’ve always scored regularly since I arrived at Inter. I’ve scored 20 goals so far this season and I’m four off the top scorer. The boss sets the formation and I adapt to that, but I think the one we’ve been using so far is the best one for the type of players we have."

Icardi shrugged off criticism of Roberto Gagliardini after the midfielder was spotted at Juventus v Barcelona on Tuesday.

"Roberto went to watch a Champions League quarter-final," he said. "It’s not every day you get to see Barcelona play and he went with a friend. The fans were angry after the Crotone defeat and I get that, but I can understand Roberto going because all he’s done is go and watch a big game."

Finally, Icardi addressed his chances of earning a long-awaited Argentina call-up.

"I will keep working hard here and trying to give my all for this club. The national team should be a reward, but I’m very relaxed."