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AC Milan cannot afford derby slip up, warns Robinho

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 03:30 PM PDT

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Robinho has warned his AC Milan team-mates that they cannot afford to slip up in this weekend’s derby with Inter.

Milan are two points ahead of city rivals Inter with eight games to go, and the 27-year-old says victory on Saturday can give his side the edge as the season reaches its climax.

“It’s a key moment in which we can no longer afford to make mistakes,” said Robinho. “We need only to win, only then can we expect to win the Scudetto.”

“We know it’s an important match and we have to play as we know.”

The former Real Madrid star added: “We are working well and concentrating on making it a great game even if I do not think it will be decisive: the championship is long.

“It all depends from us. We have a great opportunity and we depend entirely on ourselves.”

Robinho, who has hit 10 league goals this season, paid tribute to the impact Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has had at San Siro since he took the reigns last summer.

“With him we play football the way I like,” he said. “The boss loves the vertical movement quick and to play with the ball at the feet.

“Among the many coaches I had, as a concept of football this is the best. For my development, however, Fabio Capello was very important. [He is a] true master who is not biased, that speaks to everyone in the same way.”