Inter Milan vs AC Milan Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Inter Milan will welcome arch-rivals AC Milan to San Siro on Sunday in a clash that could impact both sides’ Serie A fates this season.

Coppa Italia champions Inter Milan will face off against reigning Serie A holders AC Milan in the 178th Milan Derby in Serie A at the Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday.

Both teams are some way off league leaders Napoli and cannot afford to fall any further behind. Inter Milan and AC Milan have been inconsistent this season, with the Rossoneri, in particular, failing to impress since the turn of the year.

It will be the second time both sides will face off against each other this month. Inter were comfortably the better side in their Supercoppa Italiana clash in the middle east, winning 3-0 against their hapless opponents. The reverse fixture in Serie A ended in Milan’s favour by a 3-2 margin. And the result on Sunday is likely to decide who gets the bragging rights for the season.

Inter prepared for the tie with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarter-final earlier this week. They will be keen to keep that run going and hand their arch-rivals more reasons to worry.

Milan, on the other hand, have picked up just two points from their last four Serie A games and were subjected to a humiliating 5-2 loss in front of their fans against Sassuolo at the weekend. Stefano Pioli’s men are spiralling and could see it spin out of control if nothing changes soon.

There is no better solution than to win the Derby Della Madonnina and inspire confidence within the squad. It could not just address Milan’s slide but also stop them from potentially falling out of the top four altogether. At the very least, Pioli will expect his players to show more desire than they did in Saudi Arabia.

It promises to be a hard-fought game between two sides who have little love for each other. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

Inter Milan

The Nerazzurri have won nine of their last 12 games, including a win over Napoli. However, reversals against minnows like Empoli have largely doused the momentum that Simone Inzaghi has tried to build up.

The Inter Milan boss will be glad to have Stefan De Vrij and Nicolo Barella both back from suspension. Milan Skriniar missed Inter’s last two competitive games but is expected to be restored for the clash on Sunday. The Inter star’s future is still a matter of contention, and he could be denied the armband when the teams walk out on the night.

Marcelo Brozovic is also back in training, but it remains to be seen if Inzaghi will throw him in from the off. The Croat can control the tempo of the game, but his lack of match fitness gives the Inter boss something to think about.

One constant, however, is Inter’s insistence to deploy in the 3-5-2- formation. Inzaghi has largely patented the formation at the Giuseppe Meazza and is unlikely to deviate from it. With a full-strength side at his disposal, the Nerazzurri boss can go for glory.

Andre Onana is likely to start in goal behind the back three of Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni. The more defensive-minded Matteo Darmian should get the nod over Denzel Dumfries on the right flank, with Federico Dimarco occupying the other wing.

Former Milan favourite Hakan Calhanoglu should get the nod over Brozovic in midfield, with Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan flanking him in central midfield. Edin Dzeko is also likely to be restored to the attack, with Lautaro Martinez partnering with him in the attack.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Dzeko

AC Milan

The defending champions are not just in poor form but also have several injuries to contend with. First XI stars Mike Maignan, Fikayo Tomori and Ismael Bennacer will all be unavailable for the game.

Morale is poor in the Milan squad amid reports of infighting. But Stefano Pioli has downplayed the allegations and sees the game against Inter as an opportunity to put things right. The Milan boss will be without a fit-again Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is not completely set to take the field just yet.

In adversity, there is an opportunity, and this could be the game where Pioli tinkers with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation that has brought the team much success. A 4-3-3 could be in the offing given the players available, and offer Milan more flexibility in midfield and attack. A lot will depend on whether he is ready to throw caution to the win and go all-in.

Ciprian Tatarusanu will start in goal behind the back four of Davide Calabria, Pierre Kalulu, Simon Kjaer and Theo Hernandez. Sandro Tonali could start at the base of the midfield with Tommaso Pobega alongside him.

Rafael Leao and Alexis Saelemaekers will provide the width on the night, with Brahim Diaz in the number 10 role and Frenchman Oliver Giroud getting the nod in attack. 

The veteran has found the back of the net thrice in his first two league games against Inter and will be counted upon once again to make a difference. Divock Origi scored a worldie last time out but is likely to settle for a spot on the bench.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Tatarusanu; Calabria, Kalulu, Kjaer, Hernandez; Pobega, Tonali; Saelemaekers, Diaz, Leao; Giroud

Key Stats

• Both teams have faced off against each other 177 times in Serie A, with Inter Milan winning 67 games while AC Milan have come out on top in 59 matches. AC Milan’s 67 losses to Inter Milan is the most the Rossoneri have suffered against any other side in the Italian top flight bar Juventus (Also 67).
• Inter Milan have drawn 56 times against AC Milan, the most of any side in Serie A. A win on the night will see AC Milan win three derbies in a row for the first time since 2002-2004. A win will see AC Milan complete the Serie A double over Inter Milan for the first time since 2010/11.
• Inter Milan have the second-best home record in Serie A this season, only behind league leaders Napoli.
• Inter Milan have conceded a mere five goals at home this season in Serie A. This is the joint-best defensive record in the Italian top flight alongside AS Roma.
• Should he score on the night, Lautaro Martinez will become the Nerazzurri’s second-highest foreign goalscorer in the derby.

Player to Watch

Rafael Leao

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The reigning Serie A MVP was critical to the Rossoneri’s Scudetto triumph last season but has failed to kick on this time around. While he remains Milan’s best attacker, Leao needs to show more consistency and impact games frequently.

The 23-year-old drew a blank in Milan’s last two league games, both of which they lost. There are few better times for the Portuguese international to rediscover his form. Leading Milan to a win over Inter will not just put an end to their downward slide but also restore morale within the squad.

Prediction

Inter Milan 3-2 AC Milan

It promises to be a tight contest between two sides, both of whom need three points. Inter are the side in better nick at the moment and coupled with Milan’s injuries, go into the clash as favourites. The Nerazzurri have looked formidable at home and are unlikely to yield that on the night. There will be goals but Inter’s superior quality shouldmake the difference in their favour.