Assistant manager Sinisa Mihajlovic spills the beans on relishing Inter’s Scudetto-winning derby, ruining Milan’s year and replacing Roberto Mancini.
A victory on Sunday would have the twin satisfaction of securing the title and probably ending the Rossoneri’s Champions League hopes.
“Is the party all ready? We have to win first, then think about celebrating afterwards,” he told Sky Italia television.
“Milan are certainly in better shape than six weeks ago and if they fail to win then they could miss out on the Champions League, so they will certainly be motivated.
“On the other hand, the greatest thing for us and our fans would be to win the Scudetto in the derby in front of a stadium full of Milan fans. As an added bonus, stopping them from entering the Champions League.”
The Rossoneri are back on form with Pippo Inzaghi netting eight goals in his last four games, while Kaka and Alexandre Pato have recovered from injury.
“Inzaghi always concerns me,” said the former defender. “Aside from the fact Kaka and Pato are great players, Inzaghi is always Inzaghi. He has that aggression when he sees the net and is just too good. Even if he’s not on form, he never misses the big games.
“As for Inter, Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti are the key players. If they are there, the others lift their game too. Cambiasso never gets a game wrong in front of the defence, while wherever you put Zanetti it seems as if he’s been there a lifetime.”
There was talk of Mihajlovic taking over from Mancini for the rest of the season when the Coach had announced his departure after the Liverpool defeat and once again Mancio’s place is under threat from Jose Mourinho.
“I would not have taken over, as if Mancini is not here then neither am I. In my career I have worked with Sven Goran Eriksson, Dino Zoff, Vujadin Boskov, Carlo Mazzone and Alberto Zaccheroni, but I think out of all of them Mancini is the best tactician.
“Mind you, as when he was a player, you never know what to expect from Mancio. That resignation after the Liverpool game was a complete shock. He’d been in the locker room and hadn’t said anything about it, so we were all rather stunned.
“When we asked what happened, he said that in that moment it was how he viewed the situation. At the end he backed out though and I am convinced he will remain at Inter.”
Mihajlovic has his own future career to think about and turned down some enticing offers to stick with Inter.
“A couple of months ago I received three propositions: Coach of Red Star Belgrade, Coach of the Serb national team or President of the Federation. I rejected all three. I know that when I want to I can return to Serbia and choose what I want to do.”
Another figure whose future is in doubt is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will miss the rest of the season to undergo treatment on a knee problem.
“Ibra is one of the best around, but I can imagine an Inter side without Ibra,” mused Mihajlovic.
“If he is not there, then someone else will be. It would be a shame, as we have a good rapport, but sometimes the moment comes when you take separate paths.”
