Simone Inzaghi urged Inter to be more competitive and focused when they face AC Milan on Sunday, after playing poorly in the first two derbies this season.

Inter lost 2-1 to Milan in September when Matteo Gabbia headed in a late winner before suffering a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Sergio Conceicao's side in the Supercoppa Italiana in January.

Inter had only lost two of the previous 13 Milan derbies before the start of this season (W9 D2), while they have not lost three in a row to their rivals since 2011.

"We know the value of the opponent, this year the first two derbies went badly. The first deservedly, because Milan did well," Inzaghi told reporters on Saturday.

"In the second, in Riyadh, we were in control, and we had to be better in the incidents: the first goal was tainted by a foul on [Kristjan] Asllani.

"We have to react, we have to be better in the decisive moments of the match, which can turn against you in football."

Inter have won 70 matches and scored 259 goals in Serie A against Milan, more than any other side in the competition. On the other hand, they have drawn 56 games against the Rossoneri, more than against any other opponent in the Italian top-flight.

Inzaghi said Inter had played 16 games in the last two months and a packed Serie A calendar, along with their Coppa Italia quarter-final against Lazio scheduled for February 25, would prevent the team from performing at their peak.

Following the Milan derby, Inter host Fiorentina on February 10 in a rearranged match which was suspended in December following midfielder Edoardo Bove's collapse.

"We have played sixteen games in two months ... now we have the [rearranged game] with Fiorentina and the Coppa Italia on a particular date: it will prevent us from working at our best as we thought, but it doesn't depend on us," Inzaghi said.

"As for [the Fiorentina game], they have set this date that we didn't expect. The date of the Coppa Italia could have been different, but we know that we will have to run in February too.

"We thought getting into the top eight of the Champions League would allow us to work differently, instead, we will do it like in January."

Inter finished fourth in the Champions League first phase table to reach the last 16 and avoided a two-legged playoff.

They are second in Serie A with 50 points, three behind Napoli but with a game in hand, and could go top at least for a few hours with a win over Milan, who are seventh on 34 points.

Napoli visit Roma in Sunday's late game, while third-placed Atalanta, who have 46 points, host Torino on Saturday.

"At this moment, Napoli, Inter and Atalanta have taken a bit of an advantage. I wouldn't forget the teams behind, who can make a run like these three favourites," Inzaghi said.