Albertini praises Leao for ‘speaking like a veteran’ and sends warning about Inter | OneFootball

Milan legend Demetrio Albertini has praised current Rossoneri star for his stance on the upcoming Derby della Madonnina against rivals and league leaders Inter, suggesting that the Portugal international is beginning to talk and act ‘like a veteran’.

Albertini praises Leao and warns Milan about Inter clash: ‘Definitely the last call’

The Rossoneri will be the home side for the upcoming derby against Inter in Serie A on Sunday evening. Massimiliano Allegri’s side beat the Nerazzurri 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in November.

Inter are the current runaway leaders at the top of the Serie A table after 27 matches, with a 10-point advantage over Milan, their next closest challengers.

Despite the difference between the two sides in the league table, Leao was keen to express the importance of Sunday’s match during his post-match interview following Milan’s 2-0 win over Cremonese in the weekend just gone. The Portugal star described the derby as a matter of ‘life or death’.

CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Albertini has since praised Leao for the importance that he has given the derby, and claims that after seven years in San Siro, he is beginning to talk and act like an experienced leader.

“In my time, there was no need for reminders,” Albertini told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “On one hand, we had Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, on the other, they had Berhome, Ferri, Berti just to name a few. Those guys didn’t need the meaning of the derby explained to them in public statements.

“Today, with so many more foreign players and with so much changing in squads, I think Leao wanted to warn his teammates, especially the latest arrivals, about the importance of a game like this. Rafa has been at Milan for nearly seven years and is now rightly speaking like a veteran.”

Leao also advised his teammates to not go out this week, to stay at home and prepare for the derby as best as possible.

“Oh, well for a professional, that should always be the case,” Albertini laughed. “Maybe Leao didn’t have the right words, but I endorse the basis of his message.”

Albertini was asked if the week leading up to the Derby della Madonnina is always a ‘special’ one.

He said: “For me in training, it wasn’t. But that’s because as a professional, out of respect for your coach and teammates as well, you always maintain a certain standard, week after week. What is different is the fans, the city, you really feel it.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Nicolo’ Barella of FC Internazionale is challenged by Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“If we’re talking about tactics and training sessions at Milanello, I really don’t think Allegri will treat the derby any differently to how, for example, he did last week preparing for Cremonese. Or how he will do before going up against Napoli or Juventus.

Albertini was again asked if Leao was right to label the derby a matter of life or death.

He said: “Well, it’s definitely the last call. If Inter win on Sunday, they’ll already be able to start sewing the Scudetto on their shirts and prepare for the celebrations. That’s why I think the game is much more important for Milan than for Chivu’s team.”

Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez lifts the trophy with teammates during a ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Still, even if Milan do win on Sunday, Albertinin feels that it is one step too far to ask them to catch Inter and steal the Scudetto from their grip.

“For me, now, because seven points is still a lot to make up, especially with this Inter side that is going at 1,000 mph in Serie A.

“But, the Nerazzurri have to be careful not to have any slip-ups. And in football, never say never. I won a Scudetto from -7 with seven games to go in 1998-99, coming back against a great Lazio side. We won them all, they lost two in a row to Roma and Juventus, and then on the penultimate day of the season, we pulled off the decisive overtake.”