Donnarumma reveals why he thinks the gap between Milan and Inter has narrowed

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has claimed that the gap between the Rossoneri and city rivals Inter has been reduced.

Milan will meet Inter for the 226th time in official fixtures looking to open up a bit of an early-season gap between themselves and their city rivals as the Rossoneri are currently two points ahead in the standings.

Matteo Gabbia and Leo Duarte will miss the game as they are COVID-19 positive, while Radja Nainggolan, Milan Skriniar, Roberto Gagliardini, Alessandro Bastoni, Andrei Radu and Ashley Young have tested positive for Coronavirus on the Inter side.

Milan will be looking for their first league derby win since the 2015-16 season and go into the game with a 15-match unbeaten run in Serie A.

Donnarumma spoke to Sky Italia two days before the derby, with the questions and his responses recorded by MilanNews.

“The gap to Inter? It has narrowed, because the club has been good at making a good transfers. They have also strengthened, of course,” he said.

“The coach is doing great things, now we have to show on the pitch that the gap has narrowed. We can’t wait to take the field and show the value we have.”

On derbies: “We want to redeem ourselves and have a great derby, this is the most important thing. Sometimes you play well but you don’t get any results. This time we want to win.”

On Inter: “They are a great team and have a great coach. They have everything to do very well this year, but we too can play our cards and we can have our say. I am very optimistic and convinced that we will have a great game. We are calm, we are not afraid.”

On the presence of Ibra in the derby: “We all wanted Ibra to be there in this match and he will be. We are all happy, he gives us a big hand and I know that he is very excited for this match.”

On the importance of doing well in the derby: “Doing well in the derby would give us a lot of strength to face the season. We are still at the beginning.”

About the group: “We are a young group, which can and must grow a lot. We are showing at the moment that we can do great things. I am very optimistic.”

Tags AC Milan Gianluigi Donnarumma
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