Akanji praise for Dimarco ‘top 3’ teammates, defends Inter record | OneFootball

Manuel Akanji insists it is not true that Inter are ‘different’ in the Champions League to Serie A, but Federico Dimarco is one of the ‘top three’ left-footed players he worked with.

The defender came off the bench and rose to nod in the Dimarco corner kick to seal their 2-0 victory away to Lecce.

He scored the second, as fellow substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan had also turned in a flicked on Dimarco corner at the Stadio Via del Mare.

Akanji praise for Dimarco and Inter

LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Manuel Akanji of Inter scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on February 21, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

“It is really important even when you are not starting, that you are focused and ready even before coming on,” Akanji told DAZN Italia.

“We saw that with first Mkhi and then me coming off the bench, but also we know how important set pieces can be, they can win you the match, and that is what happened today.”

LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Lassana Coulibaly of US Lecce competes for the ball with Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between US Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on February 21, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

When considering all the great players he has worked with, where does Dimarco’s left foot rate for Akanji?

“I am trying to think of all the teammates I’ve had, but he’s definitely in the top three. Dimarco has so many assists already, he might be the best, but I don’t want to say anything other than that to not discredit anyone else. He’s amazing.”

LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on February 21, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

They were coming off a painful Champions League play-off defeat to Bodo/Glimt on Wednesday, beaten 3-1 in Norway and losing Lautaro Martinez to injury.

The former Manchester City defender was asked if there were two different Inter teams, one in Europe and one in the Italian league.

“I don’t think there’s two different Inters. The games we lost in the Champions League, most of them at least, were against big teams. We have the chance to turn it around with Bodo/Glimt in a few days,” insisted Akanji.

“Sometimes it works better, sometimes a bit less. I know before people would say we didn’t win big games, now they say we are two different teams in Europe and Italy, but we always try to do our best.”