Strahinja Pavlovic interview: “Ready for the derby, we believe in the scudetto”

For once it’s worth starting with the name, Strahinja. “Strah in Serbian means fear. Centuries ago, in difficult times, when a child was born they gave him the name Strahinja to say that he shouldn’t be afraid.” In a room at Milanello, Strahinja Pavlovic showed that he is already in the derby mood: he has already… forgotten the “heavy” goal scored in Cremona and, true to his name, he is ready for the big match on Sunday. Ditto his companions.

Pavlovic, what derby are you expecting?

“It will be a tough match. Inter are ahead in the standings and will perhaps play with less pressure than us. But the derby is a story in itself: each one is different from the other. I expect a match with a lot of fight and I hope we can win.”

If we’re talking about fighting, you’re the right man…

“You can say that (laughs, ed.). I like these types of challenges, but I think that anyone who plays football with passion lives for matches like this. I think we are all ready for the derby.”

Is there a derby from your past that you remember?

“My second professional match with Partizan was the derby against Red Star, at the Marakana in Belgrade. I was 17 years old and had no experience: for me it was something incredible and I will remember it forever.”

And among those who played in Milan?

“The 3-0 in the semi-final second leg of the last Italian Cup. In derbies it’s difficult to enjoy the match because they are always tough and full of duels. That time, however, I had fun and I won’t forget it.”

The 3-2 in the Super Cup final a few months earlier in Riyadh couldn’t have been bad either.

“Yes, it was an incredible comeback, even if I experienced it a little differently because I was on the bench. Watching is almost more difficult than playing and the emotions are different, but even that evening I was still very happy.”

Is the Milan derby ‘different’ from other matches?

“Yes, because the atmosphere is particular. In Serbia I grew up in similar environments, with heartfelt and tense matches, but here it’s different: I have the feeling that we start talking about the derby a month before. Everyone is focused on this match and it seems that there is nothing more important than winning it.”

Many consider Inter to be favorites because they are first in the table. Do you agree?

“No. In derbies there are no favourites. We also saw it last season: in the championship we struggled and finished eighth, but we often won derbies. The derby is a story in itself.”

As a defender, is it better to avoid the duel with the injured Lautaro Martínez?

“Inter have four forwards who are really very good and have different characteristics. I will try to prepare for everyone, then we will see who will play. I always train 100%, regardless of the opponent.”

What do you think of Pio Esposito?

“He’s young, he’s hungry and has many qualities. He wants to prove his worth and for his age he’s very strong: he’s a danger and we have to prepare for him too.”

For Leao the derby is a life or death match.

“I agree with Rafa. We can say that it is the most important match of the season, a special match: everyone in Milan knows how much it matters.”

Is the atmosphere different in the locker room compared to other weeks?

“We are professionals and we have to prepare in the same way for every match, but it’s true that you can feel the excitement in the air for the upcoming derby.”

At Milanello there are photos of many champions of the past. Is there one that inspires you more than the others?

“You just need to take a walk in Milanello to understand how many legends have played here: the photos are everywhere, in the dining room, in the dressing room, in the gym… It makes me happy to wear the same shirt they wore. It’s a wonderful feeling, difficult to describe.”

Before choosing Milan, had you spoken to other Serbs who played here?

“I called Luka Jovic who was here last season, but I also inquired with Milenkovic and Vlahovic to find out more about the Italian championship.”

What is the main difference between Serie A and the tournaments where you played before?

“Milan is the biggest club I have played for so far and Serie A is stronger than Austria, France and Serbia. Everything is different here: there are no easy games and in these two short years I have learned more than in the previous six years of my career. For a defender it is the perfect league to grow.”

Allegri introduced himself by saying that Milan had to improve the defensive phase compared to 2024-25.

“The coach pays a lot of attention to the defense and we have made a lot of progress. However, the credit doesn’t just go to the defenders because we need everyone’s help: the attackers and midfielders give us a good hand.”

What did you learn from Allegri?

“So many little things. I started paying attention to details that I didn’t consider before and which make the difference.”

Are you satisfied with Milan’s championship so far?

“It’s a difficult question… Compared to last year we are happy: the goal at the start of the season was to get into the top four and we are in the running to achieve it. But looking at our performance, I think we could have had more points, so there is a bit of regret. There are still eleven games to go and we will do everything we can to get the most.”

But now only the derby counts…

“Exactly. We’ll move forward game after game and in the end we’ll see where we’ve reached.”

Why do you often struggle against small-medium sized teams?

“If we look at the results with the top six in the standings, we have many victories because we are more dangerous in counterattacks and in quick actions. We struggle more against teams that defend with low blocks, when we have a lot of possession. We will improve.”

Kaká told the Gazzetta that, if they win the derby, Milan must believe in the scudetto.

“Nothing is finished yet. There are eleven days left and the important thing is to stay united and give our all until the last minute.”

In view of the derby, Leao advised all his teammates to stay at home in the evening to concentrate. It’s not a problem for her…

“Exactly. I almost always stay at home and don’t go out much. Rafa is right and this principle always applies, not just for the derby. Preparation is fundamental.”

Who is the toughest opponent in training?

“Leao is very difficult to stop, but I especially suffer from Pulisic. He’s the type of player who doesn’t go into battle: he’s fast and gets away from you. You can’t come in strong because he finds a way to slip away from you, like a snake.”

Are you convinced that Pulisic will unblock himself and return to scoring like in 2025?

“I hope so. He is strong and for us he is fundamental.”

A thought for Gabbia, who won’t be in the derby after the operation?

“I wish him a speedy recovery, as I have already written to him by message. We will miss him: he is a great person even before a great player.”

San Siro will be sold out. What do you want to say to the fans?

“Thank you for the support because they are always our twelfth man. We will try to win the derby for them too.”

Will Milan be ready on Sunday?