Milan legend Demetrio Albertini has praised present Rossoneri star for his stance on the upcoming Derby della Madonnina in opposition to rivals and league leaders Inter, suggesting that the Portugal worldwide is starting to speak and act ‘like a veteran’.
Albertini praises Leao and warns Milan about Inter conflict: ‘Positively the final name’
The Rossoneri would be the residence facet for the upcoming derby in opposition to Inter in Serie A on Sunday night. Massimiliano Allegri’s facet beat the Nerazzurri 1-0 within the reverse fixture again in November.
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Inter are the present runaway leaders on the high of the Serie A desk after 27 matches, with a 10-point benefit over Milan, their subsequent closest challengers.
Regardless of the distinction between the 2 sides within the league desk, Leao was eager to precise the significance of Sunday’s match throughout his post-match interview following within the weekend simply gone. The Portugal star
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan appears dejected through the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Pictures)
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Albertini has since praised Leao for the significance that he has given the derby, and claims that after seven years in San Siro, he’s starting to speak and act like an skilled chief.
“In my time, there was no want for reminders,” Albertini instructed . “On one hand, we had Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, on the opposite, that they had Berhome, Ferri, Berti simply to call a couple of. These guys didn’t want the that means of the derby defined to them in public statements.
“In the present day, with so many extra international gamers and with a lot altering in squads, I believe Leao needed to warn his teammates, particularly the most recent arrivals, concerning the significance of a sport like this. Rafa has been at Milan for practically seven years and is now rightly talking like a veteran.”
Leao additionally suggested his teammates to not exit this week, to remain at residence and put together for the derby as finest as doable.
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“Oh, effectively for an expert, that ought to at all times be the case,” Albertini laughed. “Possibly Leao didn’t have the suitable phrases, however I endorse the premise of his message.”
Albertini was requested if the week main as much as the Derby della Madonnina is at all times a ‘particular’ one.
He stated: “For me in coaching, it wasn’t. However that’s as a result of as an expert, out of respect to your coach and teammates as effectively, you at all times keep a sure normal, week after week. What’s completely different is the followers, town, you actually really feel it.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Nicolo’ Barella of FC Internazionale is challenged by Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan through the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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“If we’re speaking about techniques and coaching classes at Milanello, I actually don’t assume Allegri will deal with the derby any in another way to how, for instance, he did final week making ready for Cremonese. Or how he’ll do earlier than going up in opposition to Napoli or Juventus.
Albertini was once more requested if Leao was proper to label the derby a matter of life or demise.
He stated: “Effectively, it’s positively the final name. If Inter win on Sunday, they’ll already be capable of begin stitching the Scudetto on their shirts and put together for the celebrations. That’s why I believe the sport is way more necessary for Milan than for Chivu’s crew.”
Inter Milan’s Argentine ahead #10 Lautaro Martinez lifts the trophy with teammates throughout a ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on Could 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his twentieth Scudetto. (Picture by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Picture by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP through Getty Pictures)
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Nonetheless, even when Milan do win on Sunday, Albertinin feels that it’s one step too far to ask them to catch Inter and steal the Scudetto from their grip.
“For me, now, as a result of seven factors continues to be rather a lot to make up, particularly with this Inter facet that’s going at 1,000 mph in Serie A.
“However, the Nerazzurri should watch out to not have any slip-ups. And in soccer, by no means say by no means. I gained a Scudetto from -7 with seven video games to go in 1998-99, coming again in opposition to a fantastic Lazio facet. We gained all of them, they misplaced two in a row to Roma and Juventus, after which on the penultimate day of the season, we pulled off the decisive overtake.”
