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MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 17: Manuel Akanji of FC Internazionale Milano warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Manuel Akanji has admitted that he could have joined Milan instead of Inter during the summer transfer window, but says that he is pleased with the decision he made and has now set his eyes firmly on a cup double this season: ‘It would be incredible to win two titles in my first year’.
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Akanji and his Nerazzurri teammates have a 12-point advantage at the top of the Serie A table with just five matches of the season remaining, and could potentially secure the Scudetto this coming weekend.
Before that, though, they will face Como in San Siro in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final, currently level at 0-0 at the halfway stage of the tie, as Inter look to pull off an impressive cup double in Cristian Chivu’s first full season as a head coach.
Akanji feels that it is a matter of ‘if and when we win these trophies’, but admits that getting past Como in the semi-final of the cup will be no easy task, even with a home advantage.
Akanji on decision to join Inter, impressive Chivu and cup double ambitions
Speaking in a feature interview with Sport Mediaset ahead of Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final second leg, Akanji spoke about his decision to join Inter instead of Milan from Manchester City over the summer.
“The team and coach made it very easy for me to fit in,” he said. “I feel very good playing here in both positions, either in the middle or on the right of the back three. I’ve had a really good season and we’ll try to finish on a high note.
“I spoke with Milan in the summer, but I thought Inter was a more suitable destination for me, and I would say that my choice has worked out. My agent negotiated with the club and it was better for me to come here.”
Akanji is technically on loan at Inter with an option to buy, but some reports indicate that this will become an obligation to buy in the event that Inter win the Scudetto. The player himself is not giving anything away at this stage, though.
“If and when we win these trophies, the time will also come to sit down at the table and decide how to move forwards. I feel good here, but I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about it. It will come soon, but I’m focussed on playing well at the moment.”
Akanji is impressed by the work that Chivu has done in his first season in charge of Inter. The Romanian only picked up his first senior head coach role, with Parma, in February last year.
“Whether you’re a player or a coach, there’s always something to learn. I think Chivu has managed this season brilliantly, he’s always brought a positive atmosphere and has tried to help us through the difficult moments.
“It’s not easy at all in a season like this, where there are so many obstacles you can encounter. He’s fought hard with us and has always been on our side.”
Akanji was also asked for his opinions on teammate Alessandro Bastoni, who continues to be linked with a summer move to Barcelona.
“I understand he’s a big topic in Italy. In every interview I do they ask me about Bastoni. Maybe it would be better to ask him about his future. All I can say is that I get on very well with him. He’s a great teammate and I’d be happy if he stayed.”
Inter are on the verge of sealing their 21st league title, and could potentially have it mathematically wrapped up this weekend. If not, they will still have another four chances to get the job done.
“We have a good advantage in Serie A, 12 points over Milan and Napoli with only five games left. It’s a great situation, but the Coppa Italia is another thing,” said Akanji.
“We don’t start with any advantage expect from maybe playing at home. It’s a semi-final and Como will come to Milan convinced, trying to do their best. But we want to get to the final and put in our best performance.”
Akanji feels that Inter have had three entirely different experiences when playing against Como so far this season.
“I’m always a bit sure as to what to expect. We want to get to the final and put in our best performance because you never know.
“Playing against Como is always complicated. The three games we’ve had against them have always been different. The first was a great performance for us, we won 4-0 at home. In the second, the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final, neither side wanted to take risks, while in the last game against Como in the league, it was an open game where we ended up 2-0 down and it didn’t seem like an easy situation.
“We managed to recover and scored four goals in a row, then they scored a penalty and had a great opportunity to equalise. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.
“It would be incredible to win two titles in my first year. We’re trying to do the Coppa Italia double. Obviously we hoped to go further in the Champions League. We tried, but it would still be great to win these two titles.”
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
