AC Milan's captain, Davide Calabria, spoke to the microphones of SportMediaset a couple of days before facing Inter. Here are his words:
"Derby after the break? The change is that you have relatively little time to prepare it with all the players. It will be a great challenge that both teams are preparing in a short time, but it's not something new."
Preparation for the derby:
"We are approaching the eve of the derby positively. Many things have changed within the team, and I am positive. I don't have to think about anything else but playing a game of football. I don't like talking about it too early; in fact, I think it's better to arrive as calmly as possible. This is a match that prepares itself."
About the new teammates Calabria said:
"The new players will see for themselves what the atmosphere is like. But they have already understood what it's like because they have seen the fans both away and at home: compared to many other teams in the world, we have a lot of people following and supporting us. I hope they will enjoy it from the first to the last minute. Strong and functional players have arrived, and they have helped us from the very beginning. The positive thing is this: if a guy feels comfortable right away, he can respond positively on the field. Everyone has done great. Today we have more options, even more suited to our style of play. Having experienced guys raises the level of the team. It was a surprise, some thought they weren't ideal, but from the first day, it was clear that they would be useful to the team."
On the connection with Rafael Leao, Calabria said:
"Rafa and I talked about this a few months ago. I'm glad he managed to score such a fantastic goal (vs Roma). I see him as much more attentive and mature. He still has to improve because he can do whatever he wants, he has physical strength like few others in the world, and he's a golden boy. He's giving us a big hand, and he will continue to do so. The important thing is not to think of solving it alone, especially these matches are played together from the first to the last minute, and that makes the difference."
About Lautaro Martinez:
"He's a great player, I can only speak highly of him. He's a top player, he put us in difficulty in the last matches, and we're trying to understand how to limit him: we are ready to face him."
On past derbies, Calabria said:
"It's normal to have ups and downs. Last year we arrived at a time when they were doing better, plus a few injuries led us to have a few more problems and a few less solutions. We're arriving in better shape, I'm confident, and the team is ready: we can't wait."
He concluded:
"What we want is to win, there is no other option. We will face each other with great respect, may the best team win."
