Two teams pretty close to one another with the same imperative for winning do battle on Sunday as Inter Milan clash with AC Milan in the Derby Della Madonnina with two points between them.
To Win (90 mins)
Inter 1/1 | Draw 51/20 | AC Milan 26/10
Inter Milan
Inter, like the rest of Serie A, are still embroiled in a chasing Napoli expedition. They are currently in second place but a massive 13 points off the men from Naples in first. In terms of the league, Inter have won seven from their last 10, losing twice and sharing the spoils with Monza.
Simone Inzaghi has seamlessly gone about his business in Milan. His teams are often associated with patiently building play, keeping possession of the football not necessarily with the immediate intention of doing anything with it, but rather with the security of knowing that they are able to identify opportune moments and make them count.
The Italian wouldn’t have enjoyed his side conceding 12 times in their last 10 games though, given the way they approach games Inter can at times afford to ‘chase’ games, but they have at times looked to become unstuck in such situations this year.
It is in these moments where players like Lisandro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku need to stand up and be counted upfront…it is the only way they can hope to add misery to their bitter rivals already tumultuous season.
Predicted Line-up: Onana, Bastoni, Acerbi, Darmian, Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Gagliadini, Dumfries, Dzeko, Martinez.
AC Milan
Milan come into this game with a horrible recent record in the league. Taking just four points from a possible 20 doesn’t give much confidence to punters (or indeed supporters) before the titanic clash at the San Siro.
Sitting fifth on the log table isn’t something in line with the rich history of this club, but it certainly is more pertinent in modern times. They have struggled to find their glory days of old – but games like this disregard everything that has come before it and I would go as far as to say for the 90 minutes negotiated on Sunday evening, neither time would be too concerned about the league itself.
In their last five games, Milan have conceded 14 times! It’s a statistic that would surely concern Stefano Pioli. I mean, it doesn’t give you a chance to find success if your defensive ability is that far gone. In a game where passion and physicality so often take over and dictate the course of the contest, you don’t want to find yourself trailing early on!
Predicted Line-up: Tatarusanu, Calabria, Kalulu, Gabbia, Hernandez, Krunic, Tonali, Saelemaekers, Ketelaere, Rebic, Giroud.
Verdict: Inter Milan (1/1)
Neither team are playing at the top of their game. Neither team come into this game with an unbelievable record. Neither team have shown a defensive approach synonymous with Italian football, nor an attacking beauty which would have a place in this City’s rich history.
However, this is a deep rivalry – one which takes nothing into account but what is displayed on the field. Inter look the better team, and at even money I cannot in good faith go against them.
