MILAN - The players have been speaking to the press ahead of this Sunday's derby with Inter:
CARLOS BACCA"A rabona in the derby? It would be amazing and if I get the chance, I will try. But scoring is all that matters, it doesn’t matter how. And winning of course. I am happy with the team’s form lately and our positive results. We’re now gearing up for the derby with Inter, a fixture we lost earlier in the season, but derbies are like finals: winning is all that counts. People have said that Inter aren’t in great form and that they’re struggling. That may even be the case, but these are one-off matches and ones where the form book goes out of the window. Serie A? It’s even more competitive than what I had imagined. The Italian league is of an exceptional standard. You simply don’t know who will fight for or win the league. It isn’t just very tactical but also very technical. To battle at the top end of the table, we need to be more consistent. We also need a bit of luck and a bit more cheerfulness as well as the belief that we are a strong team. We don’t believe enough in my opinion." 
ANDREA BERTOLACCI "What have we lacked so far this season? The word is consistency. We perform in a way you don’t expect in one match, like versus Fiorentina, but we don’t follow it up. At Empoli, we weren’t clinical enough, you cannot be pegged back twice like we were. We have dropped points where we have deserved more. The matches with Verona, Bologna, Carpi and the second half versus Roma all come to mind. We would be in a different position with those 6/7 extra points. We lack the kind of confidence needed to try and pull off a move. The atmosphere at San Siro does not help, but we have to be good at blocking it all out. We have showed that we are a united squad and behind the coach. We have performed at our best during the difficult times. Mihajlovic has made me more determined, more hungry and more aggressive in my approach. The derby? If you win and then lose the other matches, the people will soon forget about the derby. I am really happy in Milan. They told me beforehand that the quality of life was high." 
KEVIN PRINCE BOATENG "The derby is built up as make or break, a chance to get back on track. Inter are a very good team, especially physically, and we will need the best performance of the season to win. I believe the team has the energy and the abilities to do that. The right mentality and confidence are key and with that the fans will also come back too. I endured some difficult months in Germany but I have found the light again here at Milan. First I asked the President if I could train at Milanello and he said yes right away. I trained every day without missing a single session and then Mihajlovic gave his blessing for a contract until the end of the season. I can now play for 60/70 minutes but I am feeling really good. How could I be finished as a player if in Germany I played 70 matches in two years?
KEISUKE HONDA"The derby? 1-0 to us. Bacca to score the winner. If this is a last-chance to qualify for the Champions League, then we have to take it. We cannot let ourselves be influenced by one defeat or one victory. If we have a path that we are sure of, then we must follow it. As yet, we still do not have a precise style, and we have to find it by exchanging ideas between players and the coach. I am not the type of player to take on and beat opponents, I don’t dribble past others and I am not a winger that can get away from his marker with his pace. Galliani listened to me and I appreciated that. I play for the team, I did it for 10 years playing in behind the strikers. For the past 2 years, since Seedorf, I have been playing on the right in midfield. I adapt and I get used to it."
Milan have faced Inter in the San Siro derby 286 times so far over the years, considering official games and friendlies of 90 minutes. Milan wins: 110, the last one in China with Mexes deciding the friendly. Inter wins: 101, the last one at the San Siro, with Kondogbia deciding the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy. Draws: 75.
This season's derbies:90 minutes:July 25th, 2015: Milan-Inter 1-0, International Champions CupSeptember 13th, 2015: Inter-Milan 1-0, Serie AOctober 21st, 2015, Milan-Inter 0-1, Luigi Berlusconi Trophy45 minutes:August 12th, 2015, Milan-Inter 2-1, TIM TrophyNovember 24th, 2015, Milan-Inter 1-0, San Nicola TrophyMilan's last ten Serie A home derbies:2014, first leg, Milan-Inter 1-12014, return leg, Milan-Inter 1-02012, first leg, Milan-Inter 0-12012, first leg, Milan-Inter 0-12011, return leg, Milan-Inter 3-02009, first leg, Milan-Inter 0-42008, first leg, Milan-Inter 1-02008, return leg, Milan-Inter 2-12006, first leg, Milan-Inter 3-42006, return leg, Milan-Inter 1-0