Dejan Stankovic has hatched a plan to help his former side Inter to victory in Sunday’s Milan derby.
The Nerazzurri’s legendary former midfielder now coaches Serbian outfit Red Star Belgrade and will host AC Milan tomorrow in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 32 tie.
Stefano Pioli’s side will have less than 72 hours to recover for the Derby della Madonnina, which kicks off on Sunday at 15:00 CET, and Deki is planning to weaken the Rossoneri for his former side.
“I hope we can hand over a tired AC Milan team to Inter on Sunday,” Stankovic told Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview for Wednesday’s print edition.
“We’re coming into this game off two straight away wins on terrible pitches and in freezing temperatures.
“I’d say we’re in form, but I can’t be presumptuous because AC Milan are a tough side with loads of quality.
“I doubt the tie will be over by the end of tomorrow’s match, we’ll need to see after 180 minutes have been played, perhaps after extra-time or penalties.”
Deki took charge of Red Star Belgrade in December 2019 and won his first trophy as a coach by clinching the league title last May.
The 42-year-old is delighted to be in charge at the club where he first broke into senior football as a player, but admits he has not ruled out a return to Serie A in the future.
“I’m a child of Red Star so it’s a privilege and an honour to coach them,” Stankovic added.
“I’m here now and I’ll give everything right until the end.
“But certainly, if I could return to Inter or Lazio one day it would be a magnificent way to come full circle.”
Stankovic made 326 appearances in all competitions for Inter between 2003 and 2013, scoring 42 goals and winning five league titles with the Nerazzurri, among other major honours such as the UEFA Champions League in 2010.
