Derby winner takes all, says Trap

Former Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni believes the winner of the Milan derby on Saturday will go on to take home the Serie A title.

Massimiliano Allegri’s AC Milan are under pressure to maintain their lead in the Italian top flight, with just two points separating them from city rivals and reigning champions Inter Milan ahead of their high-pressure derby.

But 72-year-old former Milan defender Trapattoni, now in charge of the Republic of Ireland, believes his old side will hold the Scudetto on the final day of the season should they beat Inter Milan.

But he warned they could not leave all the work to Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the San Siro on Saturday.

“An illogical team (AC Milan) has all of sudden become a title contender thanks to three words: spirit of sacrifice. Let’s put it this way. This time, Milan-Inter seems like a Champions League game and in the Cup, the great Zlatan has never made (a) difference,” Trapattoni told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Eleven players must win the derby, then Ibra will resolve the remaining games by himself.”

Trapattoni said should Inter win on Saturday, Leonardo’s side would be impossible to beat for the title.

“If (AC) Milan want to win the Scudetto they must stop Inter now in the derby. If Leonardo overtakes Milan, the title race is over. The Nerazzurri (Inter Milan) would become like those American aircraft carriers that win all the wars: unassailable,” he said.

If Inter win the derby, they would top the table by one point from AC Milan, with seven games remaining for each side.