Spalletti: "The #DerbyMilano is a thermometer to measure our love for Inter"

APPIANO GENTILE – Ahead of the 169th #DerbyMilano in Serie A, Luciano Spalletti responded to questions from journalists at the Suning Training Centre: "This is a very important match, not only in terms of the three points but also because it can generate a high level of enthusiasm and belief both amongst the players and the fans. We haven’t been thinking about Barcelona, we’ve only been thinking about the #DerbyMilano. We haven’t wasted a single minute on the training pitch during these past two weeks."

The game between Inter and Milan is the first one following the international break: "Just like us, the Rossoneri had many players who were called up for international duty. Therefore, this shouldn’t be a problem. It obviously needs to be noted that our players have travelled and played throughout the world, but everybody is available for us, including Vecino. We are ready to play this match, and our owners are ready for it too: they’ll be by our side. Compared to the start of the season, I think that we’ve grown in terms of how we play and the character we show, and there’s still room for us to evolve further."

The Nerazzurri are on a six-game winning run: "We have to set high standards for ourselves and show quality, intensity and skill. I will never stop asking a lot from my players: we are convinced of the work we do every day and we put everything into it. We therefore don’t need to be afraid of facing Milan. I would like to compliment Gattuso, who is a friend of mine, for what he is doing on Milan’s bench. In Serie A there are many young and very capable Italian coaches. Gattuso is one of them and he can give a lot to Italian football."

There has been a lot of talk about the #DerbyMilano being about two great Argentinian strikers: "Both teams build from the back, like to play on the ground and have two terrific strikers. Icardi and Higuain are two players who can leave you with your mouth wide open with the things they do. They have different characteristics but both are key to how their teams play. Who would I choose between the two? Easy: one is an Inter play, the other is not... Icardi is a perfect professional and it makes me laugh when I hear people say that he’s not a technical player. Think about his most recent goals against Tottenham and Spal. I wouldn’t like him to change, he’s doing great as far as I’m concerned."

Spalletti had some important words for everyone involved with Inter, including the fans and the city of Milan: "Ever since I’ve been Inter coach, I’ve been walking around with my chest out and my hands behind my back: it’s wonderful to wear these colours and experience from within the love and passion surrounding this squad. The Nerazzurri fans in San Siro are not just a frame, they are an integral part of the picture. Like always, there will be many Inter fans in the stadium, while there will also be an extra full stand watching from home. Inter fans might forget the date of their spouse’s birthday, but they won’t forget the result in the #DerbyMilano. If you want to make Inter history, you need to win these games and leave your mark. When speaking to Inter fans in the city, you can sense the extraordinary anticipation for this game. This match is a thermometer with which we can measure just how crazy we are for Inter. Milan, a modern city which is continually evolving and which needs to be a model and example for other cities, should be proud of its derby. We must follow the same path as our city because we are the ones who represent it from a sporting viewpoint, both in Italy and in Europe."