Inter will have to fight from the first to the last minute if they want reach the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, according to Inter central defender Milan Skriniar.
The Nerazzurri face city rivals AC Milan in less than an hour at San Siro with the winner of the clash advancing to play Juventus or SPAL in a two-legged tie next month.
Speaking to Inter’s official club broadcaster Inter TV ahead of the game, the Slovakian international said it did not matter in which competition they were playing the Rossoneri, because the importance of the game remained the same.
“The derby is always a derby, no matter whether it is played in the league or the cup,” he assured.
“Today we want to get past this round, so we have to be a team and fight from the first to the last minute.”
Skriniar then went on to add that he and his teammates have improved since the last Milan derby played earlier on this season, which AC Milan won 2-1 in October.
“Now we are more compact than then, we understand things better and we are improving by working.
“We have improved and we must continue like this.”
Skriniar was then asked about his inclusion in many outlets’ Serie A team of the season so far and whether it makes him happy to be included.
“Yes, but it gives me almost nothing, I’m certainly happy but I’m happier if I can help the team fight in all competitions and move forward.”
In a follow up interview with Italian broadcaster Rai Sport, Skriniar added: “AC Milan are a good team, they have Ibrahimovic who is a great player and we will have to try to stop him.
“It will not be easy, but we will have to do it if we want to go through.”
Antonio Conte has made four changes to Saturday’s starting XI against Udinese, with Aleksandar Kolarov, Matteo Darmian, Ivan Perisic and Alexis Sanchez coming in for Alessandro Bastoni, Achraf Hakimi, Ashley Young and Lautaro Martinez.
