One of the most mouthwatering fixtures of the football calendar is set to be staged this weekend as Serie A leaders Inter lock horns with neighbourhood rivals Milan in this season’s first Derby della Madonnina.
Inter approach this match with a two-point lead over their near rivals, sharing the top spot of the league alongside Bologna and Roma. The Nerazzurri maintained their perfect record in the Champions League by dispatching Kairat Almaty, and then followed it up with a crucial 2-0 victory against Lazio before heading into the international break. Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny put their names on the scoresheet as Inter put more misery on the Biancocelesti.
Denzel Dumfries is set to be sidelined alongside the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian. Carlos Augusto will deputise for the Dutchman. Cristian Chivu will have a tough time choosing Martinez’s partner upfront as Bonny, Marcus Thuram and Francesco Pio Esposito are set to compete for the spot.
Inter lost three of the five derbies last season, and it will still be on their minds when they take the field on Sunday evening.
Milan fans were left jubilant last season when they saw their side pick up the bragging rights thrice against their bitter rivals, including a Supercoppa Italiana triumph. These moments turned out to be of incredible joy in a year ridden with instability. While Massimiliano Allegri has restored some calmness to the atmosphere inside Milan this campaign, they are still a long way from mustering a concrete challenge for the Scudetto. Allegri has downplayed the Rossoneri’s chances for the Serie A title on numerous occasions this season and has reiterated that their focus remains on achieving a top-four finish. However, their present form and current league position has made fans optimistic, who are vying for a Scudetto at the end of the season.
Milan bring an 11-game unbeaten run to this contest. They were held to a 2-2 draw by Parma last time out, but they did manage to secure a 1-0 win over league rivals Roma earlier this month. Allegri will eye three points tomorrow as that could bring them right back into the driving seat.
Here are the predicted line-ups for the match:
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Bisseck, Bastoni; Augusto, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.
Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Leao.
