Inter Milan play host to AC Milan at the San Siro for one of the most exciting and crucial Derbi di Milano, as the champions aim to extend their lead at the top.
Back in November, when the two teams played out a 1-1 draw with AC Milan as the home side, Inter Milan were seven points behind their local rivals. Heading into Saturday’s contest, however, the tables have turned as the Nerazzurri have the chance to lead the Rossoneri by the same margin if they can secure three points.
Since that drawn game, Simone Inzaghi has led his Inter Milan side on a great run of results, leapfrogging Napoli and Milan in the Serie A standings. They now sit four points clear of the Naples side, who remain level on points with the Rossoneri, but ahead on goal difference.
Inter come into this game on the back of a formidable run of form at home, being unbeaten in 28 Serie A clashes and winning 25 of those. Their last defeat at the San Siro as the home team came against Milan in October 2020. Inzaghi will be hoping to start a busy period before the next international break by winning against the Rossoneri.
AC Milan have suffered from inconsistency as they have gone from leading the charts to slipping down the table in recent weeks. This wretched run has been the routine since they lost to Liverpool in the Champions League. They were recently defeated by lowly Spezia, while they also drew their game with Juventus.
Another stalemate with the current champions could allow Milan to keep the gap the way it is, although a loss would be catastrophic, and they could soon slip out of the title picture.
Hence, Milan have to aim for a win and bring an end to their poor run of results to cut down the gap to just one point. With no European football anymore this term, Stefano Pioli’s side can put their entire focus on challenging for the league title.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
The Nerazzurri have seen their injury issues ease up of late. Juaquin Correa and new signing Robin Gosens are the only absentees for the derby. The Argentine attacker is expected to be out until the end of February.
South American pair Alexis Sanchez and Lautaro Martinez are expected to be match-fit despite recently returning from international duty. If Simone Inzaghi deems the Argentine not fit to start the game, then winter arrival Filipe Caicedo could get the nod upfront alongside Edin Dzeko.
Matteo Darmain and Denzel Dumfries will compete for the right wing-back berth, and we suspect the Dutchman could be preferred ahead of the Italian. Ivan Perisic should start on the other flank, while Hakan Calhanoglu, Marcelo Brozovic and Nicolo Barella could complete the midfield puzzle.
A back three of Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni is a given for Inter Milan, while captain Samir Handanovic mans the goal for the home team.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skrininar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Martinez, Dzeko
AC Milan
Milan still have key players out of contention for this clash, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Fikayo Tomori deemed unfit to play. Meanwhile, Fode Ballo-Toure remains away at the AFCON, while Ante Rebic struggles with fitness issues.
?️ "We must be able to go beyond our limits."
The Boss' pre-match thoughts ahead of #InterMilan?️ "Dobbiamo riuscire ad andare oltre i nostri limiti"
Così Mister Pioli alla vigilia del Derby #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/3nstPYj4QE— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 4, 2022
Olivier Giroud may get the nod to lead the line, although Stefano Pioli would have liked the leadership skills of Ibrahimovic upfront. The Swede limped off during Milan’s last game with what looked like an Achilles problem.
The good news for Pioli is the return of Franck Kessie from the AFCON, although the manager could start the midfielder in a different role. With Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer forming the double pivot, the Ivorian could be deployed in an advanced No. 10 position.
Alternatively, Brahim Diaz is also an option in the attacking midfield role, although Kessie’s presence on the pitch would be deemed vital. Alexis Saelemaekers and Rafael Leao should start in the wide attacking areas and look to support Giroud while providing a goal threat themselves.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Saelemaekers, Kessie, Leao; Giroud
Key Stats
- Inter Milan are undefeated in 12 of their last 13 matches with AC Milan in all competitions.
- Inter Milan have scored at least two goals in 22 of their last 27 Serie A matches.
- Inter Milan are undefeated as a home team at the San Siro for 28 games Serie A games running.
- AC Milan have scored at least two goals in eight of their last nine away games in Serie A.
- AC Milan have won 26 of their previous 32 away matches in Serie A.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine attacker is desperate to hit top form again after a difficult few games of late. A purple patch in November and December followed by blanks in his last four Serie A games could be a sign of worry for the striker personally.
Fortunately for him, his fellow attackers made sure that his slump did not affect the team’s standing in the Serie A table. However, Inter will need Martinez hot and firing from the front to help them win against Milan at the San Siro on Saturday, and more importantly for the long-term, to clinch the title.
Prediction
Inter Milan 1-1 AC Milan
Two of Italy’s biggest teams clash at the San Siro, and similar to their meeting back in November, this game is likely to end in a draw. There is a chance for either side to clinch three points here, but considering the quality of both teams, a result beyond sharing points seems unlikely.
Going by the stats, Inter Milan have lost just one of their 11 most recent meetings with Milan in the league. But the Rossoneri have the quality to hold off their neighbours and stall their charge towards another Serie A title. Expect this game to end in a 1-1 draw.
