AC Milan full-back Mattia De Sciglio says the derby will be crucial to their season hopes.

Milan meet Inter Milan on Saturday.

"For me, as for all Milan fans, the derby is THE game," De Sciglio told Milan TV.

“It's a game which stands apart, regardless of where the two teams are in the table, there's a difference to other games. You experience it differently.

“We can't make the mistake of thinking of the table, then we'd risk not being 100 per cent focused.

“The only objective is to give our all without thinking about the points in the table, who is favourite and who is playing at home.

“Given the standings though, the derby will be very tight and important. Both teams are aiming for Europe so it will be a crucial game.

“In the first derby I played I didn't even expect to come on. I came on for [Daniele] Bonera who was injured, and I was the only defender on the bench.

“I was very tense, coming on cold wasn't easy but at the same time I was very fired-up because it was a very important game."