Ex-AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini discussed how the Rossoneri can look to push for Champions League qualification after their strong start to the season in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster Radio 24 yesterday.
“The results of the post lockdown gave an incredible awareness to AC Milan. The derby is a different game, winning it gives confidence and directs you to what are the goals.
“I know it is difficult, but Milan has a duty to finish in the top four. Everything else is talk.”
The 49-year-old Italian still believed that both Juventus and Inter were still in the running for the league title, with the Rossoneri a level behind the pair.
“Juventus and Inter are one step above. But I won also in 1999 when nobody credited us for the win. Anyway, in the end the winner will be the one who can better manage the difficult moments.”
The Rossoneri, who beat rivals Inter 2-1 in the derby on Saturday, are now top of the league table after four games, sitting two points ahead of second place Sassuolo.
Stefano Pioli’s squad have started the season strongly, with wins over Crotone, Spezia, Bologna and now Antonio Conte’s Inter.
The Nerazzurri also started well, with wins over Fiorentina and Benevento, but suffered a 1-1 draw against Lazio in Rome before the international break.
The defeat to AC Milan will serve as a bitter wake-up call, ahead of this week’s Champions League opener against German side Borussia Monchengladbach.
