AC Milan coach Rino Gattuso rates Sunday's derby with Inter Milan as a major test of their mentality.

Gattuso admits he's been warning his players of overconfidence.

He stated: “We must be humble, respectful towards Inter and aware of what we have to do. They can afford to slip up, but we can't. We cannot hold back. I don't even want to hear the word 'fatigue' – no alibis. I want XI players who are fired up to the core.

“If we want to think of a Champions League place, then this is like a Final. We're gambling it all. The thing I fear the most is the history of the derby, as usually the team that is struggling tends to win. I don't like people saying we are the favourites, because they are eight points ahead of us.

“I fear Luciano Spalletti, who has a lot of experience in derbies, both in Rome and Milan, so he knows how to handle these games. I fear Mauro Icardi, who is one of the best strikers in the world and few can move better than him. He's like a marksman, he never misses.

“I fear the idea some could think we're suddenly fantastic and forget where we started from. We've done nothing yet and still need to become a team. We've got the potential to do great things, but mustn't lose that sacrifice and hard work.

“I will keep smashing them with that, even if they glare at me and can't stand it anymore, I will continue hammering at that nail."