Manuel Akanji Urges Inter to Bounce Back Against Club Brugge
Manuel Akanji has urged Inter Milan to concentrate on beating Club Brugge at San Siro on Tuesday as the Italian side look to recover from their opening Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
Inter begin Matchday 2 still seeking their first victory in this season’s league phase. Akanji said the club’s wider aim is to finish among the top eight, which would send them directly into the knockout rounds, but he does not believe it is useful to treat the Brugge meeting as a decisive occasion.
Inter focus on Brugge response
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Inter opened their European campaign with a loss to Real Madrid, their only defeat in any competition so far this season.
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The Nerazzurri have otherwise made a strong domestic start, drawing one league match and winning the rest.
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Akanji said changes made for the weekend fixture underlined the strength available within the squad, with the rotated players performing well and helping Inter take another win.
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The Swiss defender said every member of the group needs to remain ready to contribute as Inter compete on several fronts.
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Attention now turns to Club Brugge, with Inter seeking a home win in front of their supporters before considering the remaining European schedule.
“The team is feeling good,” Akanji said. “We have had one draw in the league and won the other matches. Real Madrid is the only side to have beaten us this season.”
He added that the team selection over the weekend had demonstrated the value of rotation. “Those who came in played very well and we got the result. It matters that everybody is in their best condition, because everyone can help.”
Sommer friendship put aside for 90 minutes
Akanji will come up against former Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, now with Club Brugge. The pair exchanged messages two days before the match, although the Inter defender made clear that their friendship will be paused once the game begins.
“I spoke with him a couple of days ago,” Akanji said. “For those 90 minutes we will not be friends; that is football. Yann is still a close friend, but our only priority tomorrow is to win.”
In his second season with Inter, Akanji is encouraged by the direction of the side after they won two domestic trophies last term. Estimates have suggested 16 points may be enough for a top-eight league-phase place, but he does not want that target to create unnecessary pressure around Tuesday’s game.
“I do not want to see it in those terms,” he said. “There are still six matches to play, so it is not do-or-die. But we want the victory in front of our fans.”
Akanji also confirmed he remains in contact with friends at former club Manchester City, while stressing that his full attention is on Inter’s fixtures and objectives.
