Manuel Akanji says Inter Milan can't afford to have a slow start against rivals AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday (today).
The two sides head into the contest in contrasting form.
Milan suffered a 4-2 home defeat to Bologna earlier this week, their first of the season.
Inter, meanwhile, sit at the top of the standings along with Lazio with their unbeaten start to the league season still intact.
The Nerazzurri have made a slow start to the majority of their games this season, conceding first.
Christian Chivu's side have picked up 13 points from losing positions so far in the current campaign.
Akanji said they can't continue the trend against a big team like Milan.
“It’s not easy to give an explanation. It’s not that we start badly, but sometimes we make mistakes and concede goals.
"We can’t afford to do that, especially against the big teams,” Akanji said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia.
Inter will be aiming to end their barren streak against their city rivals.
They have not beaten Milan in any of their last seven meetings, losing five and drawing two.
Serie A: Inter can't afford slow start in derby against AC Milan - Akanji