Inter v Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fired up to face his former club Inter in tomorrow's city derby.

The Sweden international joined Milan on loan from Barcelona having quit Inter last year after winning three Serie A titles.

Ahead of the encounter at the San Siro which will see Milan acting as visitors, Ibrahimovic took a swipe at his old club.

"When you feel that you can no longer grow in a team, that you no longer have the right motivation, you look for something else," said Ibrahimovic."At Inter I had arrived to that point.

"I needed the change and then, of course, I joined a stronger team."

Ibrahimovic is not concerned by the frosty welcome he will get from the Nerazzurri supporters.

"I welcome their jeers as they fire me up even more," he said.

"It just adds to the motivation.

"Inter are now a rival team for me. I play for Milan and I will do everything to beat Inter."

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri hopes Ibrahimovic can deliver up front with team's top scorer Alexandre Pato and veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi out of action through injury.

Pato will be sidelined for six weeks with a muscle problem while Inzaghi's campaign is all but over with a serious knee injury.

Despite those setbacks, Milan go into the game leading the Serie A table for the first time in two years.

Wednesday's 3-1 triumph over Palermo saw the Rossoneri go one point clear of Lazio and they are three ahead of Inter after 11 games played.

Inter, meanwhile, have dropped to fourth place after draws against Brescia and Lecce this week.

However, Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic is convinced his team can return to winning ways on Sunday.

"We are very motivated to do well," he said.

"I'm not worried because even though we have lost a few points in recent weeks, Milan are just three points clear of us.

"I'm sure we will turn things around on Sunday.

"Motivation will not be lacking because the derby is always a beautiful and important game."

Inter suffered a huge blow this week when a knee injury ended Argentina defender Walter Samuel's season, but the Nerazzurri welcome back Dutch international Wesley Sneijder.

Sneijder was rested for Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Lecce.

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