Davide Calabria spoke to DAZN ahead of the derby. The 25-year-old right-back recalls his first derby:
"Growing up with this shirt on, that sure was a special day for me. My whole family are Milan fans. I remember the great teams that were there at the time of Ancelotti and Allegri. I grew up with that Milan, with those great players: for a Rossoneri fan it was a wonderful period. The first derby I played was the one from the Chinese era, at 12.30. It was a good match anyway, we lost 2-0 and then we drew in the 97th minute thanks to Zapata. It was a great emotion, there were a lot of fans. "
On the pictures in his room:
"I have a photo with Paolo Maldini. I only asked him after 6 years of playing with his son."
How will you prepare for the derby?
"At this level you prepare all matches in the same way. Obviously there is an even more beautiful outline for the derby. I think this is the best derby in the world, perhaps even the best match in the world."
How did you experience Hakan Calhanoglu's goal...
"Honestly, from the pitch I would never have said it was a penalty on that occasion. However, I experienced it as a moment of the match against us and that led us to concede goals, we did not take it personally."
Davide Calabria on his future:
"I've been here for a lifetime and I hope to wear this shirt forever. Then it's not just up to me to decide, there will be many things to evaluate. But today I feel like this."
There is a decisive penalty to be taken, who do you choose to shoot it?
"“I think they are really delicate situations, I could pull it off too. If I had to decide… I would say that whoever feels it at that moment can shoot."
About Inter:
"If I am afraid of their escape? It is too early to be thinking about this. We want to win and we can potentially be much closer. We will talk about it starting from Sunday."
On the loss against Spezia:
"The championships are won in those matches, when it seems that something doesn't work, but then at the last minute you could take home the three points. I am sure that with the public we would have had a push, in fact it is no coincidence that we are talking about the 'twelfth man'.", said Calabria.
Do you miss the fans?
"The fans really create an exciting atmosphere. When you enter the stadium you feel motivated. Having them with us means another game entirely. Obviously, it is always a derby and it is a fundamental match, but having all that is something that I hope to experience."
Have you ever been in the Curva Sud?
"I never went to Curva Sud. I went to the Inter corner for Milan matches because it cost less."
What do you think of the new stadium:
"It is there for everyone to see. There are more revenues, there is more economic power and consequently more results in having their own stadium."
Davide Calabria On playing with Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"He is a strong player who attracts the attention of the defense. Having him or not having him changes: if he plays at this level at this age it is always better to have him on your side than against."
Who would you take away from Inter:
"I think their strong point is defense. Up front they have talent and great players but I think I would remove a defender, probably De Vrij."
