Former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni highlighted the importance of the fast-approaching Derby della Madonnina and admitted Milan ‘have surprised’ him.
Both teams have started the 2023-24 season in an almost perfect fashion, both winning their opening three outings. Both are desperate to take a leading role in the title race after losing out to Napoli last season.
In the 2022-23 campaign, Milan won the first Derby della Madonnina of the season but fell in the following three, including back-to-back losses in the Champions League semi-finals.
Speaking to Il Mattino via TMW, Stramaccioni first discussed how the upcoming derby could have key ramifications for the 2023-24 season.
“The derbies in Milan give you a knock: a boost or a reduction. But there are two expert coaches. I believe that this derby could kill the ambitions of one of the two, but it will be important. Even if between the two, Inter still have a little more.”
The former Nerazzurri coach then touched on how Milan have surprised him in the early weeks of this season.
“For now they’ve surprised me. Not so much because they’ve achieved a result, but because changing so many starters in a key area like midfield and immediately having such harmonious fluidity of play is a surprise.”
Milan received a key boost ahead of the Derby della Madonnina after veteran striker Olivier Giroud returned to squad training, seemingly shaking off the ankle issue suffered during France’s Euro 2024 qualifying win over Ireland.