Akanji Warns Inter: Slow Start Against Milan Could Prove Costly in Derby della Madonnina

FolioPitch.com – 31 October 2026 | Manuel Akanji has issued a stern warning to his Inter Milan teammates ahead of Saturday’s Derby della Madonnina, insisting that Akanji Inter can t afford a poor start vs Milan they have to work hard if they want to score. The Swiss defender spoke to Sky Sport Italia on Friday, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the slow starts that have plagued the Nerazzurri this season.

Inter sit atop the Serie A standings alongside Lazio, boasting an unbeaten record of eight wins and one draw for 25 points. However, their tendency to concede first has been a recurring issue, with the team recovering 13 points from losing positions. Akanji acknowledges the problem but struggles to pinpoint a single cause.

“It’s not easy to give an explanation. It’s not that we start badly, but sometimes we make mistakes and concede goals. We can’t afford to do that, especially against the big teams,” he said. “Sometimes you might get away with it, especially if the opponents don’t convert the chances they create. We know that we can’t start like that against Milan, we can’t give away easy goals. They will have to work hard to score.”

The defender’s comments come as Inter prepare to face a Milan side eager to bounce back from a 4-2 home defeat to Bologna earlier this week—their first league loss of the 2026-27 campaign. Despite Milan’s setback, Akanji is wary of the threat posed by the Rossoneri, particularly given Inter’s recent derby record. The Nerazzurri have not beaten Milan in their last seven meetings, losing five and drawing two since their last victory in April 2024.

“Last year, Milan showed us their low block and played intelligently. We can’t give away easy chances. We all have to defend and make things difficult for them. We have to take advantage on transitions when we have the ball,” Akanji explained.

A victory on Saturday would open a 10-point gap over their city rivals, but Akanji insists it is too early to discuss the Scudetto. “It’s still early, but of course it would be great to win this game. The teams close to us are picking up points and it will be difficult to stay up there. For us, the derby is one of the most important games of the season, we want to get the three points.”

The 31-year-old also touched on the physical and mental toll of the expanded 2026 World Cup and the congested calendar. “It’s not just about that, we have to think about the last few years as well. Before that, there was the Club World Cup and the Euros the summer before. Fortunately, next year, there will be a proper break. When you play as much as that, starting again straight away is difficult. You might be happy, maybe you had a good World Cup, maybe you need a rest, but there’s no time. The body responds to the present, the mind less so. It’s not easy. I’m 31 years old now, we have to think and play as a team. We want to finish well before the international break.”

Akanji, who started on the bench against Venezia earlier this week, declared himself ready to go. “I don’t feel tired physically, I had a bit of a rest during the last game. It’s never easy. Our goal is to win, that’s the most important thing, and is also the case against Milan. We hope to succeed.”

The defender was unequivocal about what Inter need to do when they step onto the pitch at San Siro. “The desire to win. That’s what counts in a derby. We have to show it from the first minute and not just bring a sense of hunger, but the desire to go and win. Mentality is what drives desire.”

As the first Derby della Madonnina of the season approaches, Akanji’s message is clear: Akanji Inter can t afford a poor start vs Milan they have to work hard if they want to score. The Swiss international knows that a repeat of their slow starts could hand Milan an advantage they cannot afford to give. With Inter’s unbeaten run on the line and city bragging rights at stake, the Nerazzurri must heed their defender’s warning and impose themselves from the opening whistle.

In conclusion, Akanji’s rallying cry serves as a timely reminder of the fine margins that decide derby encounters. If Inter are to maintain their position at the summit and end their barren run against Milan, they must combine intensity with intelligence from the very first minute. Akanji Inter can t afford a poor start vs Milan they have to work hard if they want to score—a sentiment that encapsulates the challenge awaiting the Nerazzurri on Saturday evening.