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Inter defender Manuel Akanji has admitted that he hopes to score his first goal for his new club against the one he could have joined.
This particular game always carries plenty of meaning, but it has some extra relevance when it comes to Akanji and the choices that he made in the summer. Milan became strongly linked with a move for the defender late in the window, who was allowed to leave Manchester City.
A loan with option to buy deal was believed to have been put on the table, but the ex-Dortmund man rejected it because he wanted Champions League football. He then ended up joining Inter, who he branded the ‘biggest club in Italy’ shortly after touching down.
Akanji spoke to SportMediaset following his national team’s 1-1 draw against Kosovo, a match that qualified the Swiss for next year’s World Cup and secured the Kosovars a place in the play-offs. His words are relayed by Calciomercato.com.
The derby is next…
“Yes, I’m waiting for it, but honestly I haven’t thought about it yet because I’ve been focusing on the national team. We’ve qualified and tonight [last night] we’re celebrating, then I’ll look forward to my first Milan derby.”
A first goal for Inter against Milan wouldn’t be bad, would it?
“No, it wouldn’t be bad. I haven’t scored yet and I hope to do so soon, it’s not my job, but it would be nice if I could help the team with this too and maybe it could happen as early as this weekend.”
Do you see your future at Inter beyond this season?
“I hope so. We’ll see what happens this season, then we’ll decide what to do with the club. I don’t know, it depends on how the season goes, but right now I’m very happy in Milan.”
Will Chivu be a top coach in the future?
“He’s still young, but I really like how he approaches the team and the staff, the way he communicates with us. I’m really happy with him right now.
“Sure, he’s young and still has a lot to learn, but he’s had an excellent career, and I think he can take inspiration from that, from the coaches he’s had. We’ll see how he goes.”
Is the Scudetto your target?
“Certainly.”
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