Derby della Madonnina can change the season-Calabria

"

I worked a lot, we worked a lot,

"

The 24-year-old 

told Corriere della Sera. "

It's as if Milan and I grew together in this last year

.

"We understood what we needed to improve, and we did it in silence, when everyone was talking."

Milan suffered a disappointing loss to Spezia on Saturday as they lost the top spot to city rival Inter.

"

It was a bad day. The classic game where everything is wrong, for everyone,

" he continued.

"Now, let's keep our heads high. It's a decisive week with Red Star and the derby. We must not panic, we'll get out of it with hard work.

"With humility, concentration and enthusiasm. It's a long race for first in the table, nothing is compromised.

"What matters is to finish first, but now we are thinking about the Cup."

Milan will go to Serbia to face

Red Star Belgrade

in the round of 32 in the Europa League tomorrow.

"

We care a lot

," Calabria stressed.

"We want to go all the way. Europe is Milan's natural habitat

."

In Italy, the focus is on Sunday's match against Inter, a match that could largely determine which team will win the Scudetto.

"

It can change the season,

" Calabria admitted.

"That's why we want to win in Belgrade tomorrow

.

"Winning helps to win. We must immediately recover that mentality that allowed us to be top for 21 days.

"Then we will think about the derby. And about winning it, of course. Even in the first leg, they thought of us as underdogs, right?"

Calabria went on to point out that Juventus and Inter have the strongest squads in the league.

"

They are the best equipped, together with Juve,

" he said.

"But everything is open. We just have to keep quiet and work, as my father taught me

."

The Rossoneri defender said he 'owes a lot' to Paolo Malidini and also praised Stefano Pioli.

"

I owe a lot to Maldini. He's a legend. He has encouraged me since I was in the youth team

," the full-back revealed.

"Milan was my dream and I kept it tight. Pioli? There was some misunderstanding early on. It wasn't easy for me to learn what he wanted from me.

"Then we talked a lot, we confronted each other, and I have improved a lot, thanks to his help. We have an excellent relationship, he's a great coach and a great man."

Calabria concluded by talking about Zlatan and his impact on the team.

"

Zlatan makes a difference

," he said. "

You look at him and feel stronger

.

"He taught us to have the winning mentality, to be from Milan."

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