MILAN – “Is there a touch of sadness that this derby will be certain players’ last? We’ll see but as for Zanetti it looks like he’s headed towards a future as a club official. The idea is to wait until the end of the season to make a joint decision with the lads.” This is what FC Internazionale sporting director Piero Ausilio said to Sky Sport Italia before AC Milan v Inter.

“Who’s likely to sign for the club? We’re preparing things in our own way, we need to keep up to date to see what we can do in the transfer market. For now we’re focused on these three matches, things could change without the Europa League, so we’re concentrating until the end of the season, then we’ll see.

“Kovacic starting for the fourth game running? The coach has always said that this guy needed to be trained and played in the best possible conditions. We should give Mazzarri the credit, but also the player himself, who has worked very well over the last few months and cut out certain mistakes. He’s our present but also represents Inter’s future. Mazzarri has brought forward what we’re going to do next season.

“Icardi? Besides his occasional misuse of Twitter, he’s someone who works very hard on the pitch and listens to the coach. The idea is to build the team around him. Whoever we sign up front needs to be suited to him and his playing style. His future? He’s at Inter and will remain so.”