Serie A: It’s Derby Day in Milano

Inter Milan vs AC Milan

The Serie A champions of the past two seasons are up against it.

A title tilt is slipping away from both clubs and, quite frankly, if either side is defeated in the San Siro this weekend they can all but kiss goodbye to their faint aspirations.

In fact, a draw isn’t much good for any of the Milan giants either.

So, who will prevail – 2021 winners Inter Milan or defending champions AC Milan?

Talking Points

In many ways, you have to fancy Inter given Milan’s lousy current form.

They were hammered on their own turf by struggling Sassuolo last weekend to all but trigger the end of their title defence and will need a second half full of Serie A 2023 highlights if they are to give themselves any chance of back-to-back titles.

Stefano Pioli’s side, who pipped their neighbours and rivals for the title on a dramatic last day last term, are now on a four-match winless run in the Italian top-flight and have conceded 12 goals in their last three matches in all competitions.

Domenico Berardi, Gregoire Defrel, Davide Frattesi, Armand Lauriente, and Matheus Henrique all scored for the visitors as the Rossoneri conceded five at the San Siro for the first time in Serie A since April 1997, with Olivier Giroud and Divock Origi replying for the hosts.

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They have dropped to fifth as a result with Inter now in second – two points ahead.

Pioli has already pledged there will be radical changes to shake Milan out of their mini-crisis and that could well mean a change of system for Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina.

He will, however, have to make do without Ismael Bennacer who has been ruled out of action with a thigh injury and Fikayo Tomori who has a hip injury.

The game will also come too soon for long-term absentee, veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although there is some good news for the Rossoneri after the 41 year-old Swedish forward, who carried an injury in the second half of their Scudetto charge last season, played a part in Milan’s training session on Friday.

It was the first time in eight months that he has been able to work with his teammates on the pitch. How he has been missed.

For Inter, Marcelo Brozovic is still sidelined due to a calf injury and is expected to return very soon but it is highly unlikely he will be risked for this contest.

In the week it’s been revealed that Serie A clubs’ spending in January was the lowest in 17 years – while Premier League clubs invested €829-M, including Chelsea’s €320-M, Italian sides in the top flight spent €31-M – the two Milan giants will be keen to put on a show and keep alive their faint hopes of overhauling league leaders Napoli.

Throw in the usual tension of derby day, and this will not be one for the faint hearted.

History

Inter Milan will be hoping for a Serie A derby win against AC Milan — Inter Milan celebrate after winning the Italian Super Cup

Inter Milan currently hold the bragging rights in this derby with 80 successes compared to 71 Milan victories. There have also been 67 draws.

This will be their third match-up this season.

In October, Milan edged a five-goal thriller, thanks to goals from Rafael Leao (two) and Giroud. Marcelo Brozovic and Edin Dzeko had netted for Inter with the first and last goals of the contest.

Last month was a rather more one-sided affair as Inter ran out 3-0 winners in the Supercoppa Final with Federico Dimarco, Dzeko, and Lautaro Martinez on target at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The corresponding fixture last season saw Milan won 2-1 as Giroud scored twice in three second half minutes to overturn an Ivan Perisic opener.

The last time Milan enjoyed a league double over Inter was in 2010-11 when they recorded 1-0 and 3-0 victories.