Inter Milan Star On Rivalry With AC Milan Star Theo Hernandez: ‘Don’t Like Each Other Much’ Adds “Want To Win Everything” | OneFootball

Inter Milan wingback Denzel Dumfries admits that he and AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez “don’t like each other very much.”

The Dutchman spoke to the Lega Serie A YoutTube channel. He added that there is still a mutual respect between the two wingbacks, however.

Clashes between Dumfries and Hernandez have become a regular feature of matches between Inter and Milan in recent years.

The two wingbacks play directly against each other.

Dumfries is on Inter’s right flank. And Hernandez plays down Milan’s left.

In many ways, Dumfries and Hernandez have similar styles of play.

Both of the two are players who like to bomb up and down their respective wings. Therefore, they are frequently tasked with trying to track and stop one another’s runs.

Moreover, both Dumfries and Theo Hernandez are tenacious, physical players.

Therefore, it is perhaps little surprise that the two wingbacks frequently have strong challenges with one another.

Inter Wingback Dumfries Admits: “Theo Hernandez & I Don’t Like Each Other”

Sometimes, the clashes between Dumfries and Hernandez go beyond mere footballing challenges.

There have also been moment when tempers have boiled over between the Inter and Milan wingbacks.

BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta and AC Milan at Gewiss Stadium on December 06, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)

In the derby last April, both Dumfries and Hernandez got their marching orders late in the match after a particularly fiery conflict.

Inter wingback Denzel Dumfries admitted that “Obviously we don’t like each other very much off the pitch.”

“I can’t say that we’re friends off of it either,” he added. “Because that would be a lie.”

“But we have mutual respect for each other,” Dumfries said.

“During the match, we each fight for our own colours. We also clashed at the Euros, but that’s part of the game.”

“Off the pitch we don’t have any problems,” Dumfries added.

“But on the pitch we only think about winning.”

Dumfries commented that “There are a lot of clashes, but that’s a natural thing in football.”

“I certainly can’t say that we like each other,” the Inter wingback said with a laugh. “That’s all.”

Meanwhile, Dumfries also gave his thoughts on the Serie A title race. “It’s not just Napoli,” the 28-year-old said. “But there’s also Atalanta.”

“Every season is different from the previous one. We knew from the start that it would be a long season.”

“We’re playing for all competitions, and we don’t just think about the league,” said Dumfries. “We’re also in the running in the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.”

The Dutchman was confident, asserting that “we can win all three competitions, and that’s our goal.”

“On a personal level my goal is to improve,” Dumfries added. “Become more complete and contribute more to the team’s objectives.”

“But the most important thing is to raise the bar in terms of the entire squad.”