AC Milan midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers believes that the Rossoneri’s team spirit and collectiveness could be decisive in the Derby della Madonnina against Inter today.

The two city rivals square off at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza with Inter just a single point ahead of Milan at the top of the Serie A table, having overtaken the Rossoneri at the summit last weekend.

Yet, Belgian international Saelemaekers insisted that the league standings had no bearing on how Milan would approach the match and pointed to the unity within the Diavolo camp as a reason to be optimistic.

“We didn’t think about the table when we were top and we won’t do it now that we are second,” the 21-year-old claimed in an interview in today’s newspaper edition of Tuttosport.

“Firstly, because it change every weekend, and secondly because as [coach Stefano] Pioli says, it is only relevant in May. Looking at it before then is useless.

“I think Inter have some outstanding individuals, some very good players. But we are more of a team, with a greater collective spirit. We are a real family and this can make a difference on the pitch.”

Victory for Inter would see the Nerazzurri move four points clear of Milan in the table with 15 matches remaining.

Saelemaekers arrived at Milan from Belgian club Anderlecht on an initial loan in January 2020, before making the move permanent last summer. The midfielder made his international debut in a friendly against Ivory Coast in October.