Roberto Mancini confirms Mauro Icardi will start and wants the Milan Derby to become a global event once more.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“Icardi did everything he needed to do in training yesterday, he’s fine and he will play,” the Coach said in his Press conference.
Roberto Mancini confirms Mauro Icardi will start and wants the Milan Derby to become a global event once more.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“Icardi did everything he needed to do in training yesterday, he’s fine and he will play,” the Coach said in his Press conference.
“We’ll evaluate Joao Miranda tomorrow morning. If he did play, we wouldn’t be taking any risks. Who will be captain? Icardi, even if Andrea Ranocchia does play.”
This will be the third time this summer that the two San Siro rivals have faced off, although the others were in the International Champions Cup in China and the Trofeo TIM mini-match.
“Milan won the other two derbies, so they must be the favourites,” smiled Mancio. “Tomorrow night I’ll be an ‘enemy’ to Sinisa Mihajlovic for 90 minutes, but then we get back to being friends.
“We will have more enthusiasm and confidence if we win, but it’s still only Week 3. We are convinced that we’ll have a great season. This result won’t be decisive, though.
“Nobody is at the top of their game yet. Inter and Milan changed so much that it’s natural it will take some time to gel. We want to see the stadium full and it is our duty to ensure the Milan Derby is back to being a global event.
“Ivan Perisic is a champion and in great shape, while he’s accustomed to high profile games. Felipe Melo is in better shape than I expected considering he didn’t go through all of pre-season training.
“Milan are a very strong side in attack and they won’t just play on the counter. They play good football.”
Mancini was asked if he would consider becoming Coach of Milan one day.
“I doubt they’d want me!”