Finally Serie A is back after the international break and it throws up the first competitive Milan Derby of the season when Inter take on Milan in week 3 on Sunday 13 September 2015 (kick off 20:45 CET).
To Inter fans the break would have seemed like an age after Inter’s final day dealings in the transfer window with Felipe Melo, Alex Telles, Adem Ljajic and Ivan Perisic all signing for the Nerazzurri and available to make their debuts.
There is an optimistic air around Inter after a successful transfer campaign and also after Inter won their first two Serie A matches of the season 1-0 against Atalanta and 2-1 against Carpi but there were signs in those games that Inter aren’t the finished article just yet and Mancini will need time to get the team playing the way he wants.
Milan have also invested during the Summer transfer window signing the likes of Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, Andrea Bertolacci, Alessio Romagnoli and ex Inter striker Mario Balotelli who is trying to resurrect his career after a horrible spell at Liverpool.
In Milan’s first two fixtures they lost 2-0 at Fiorentina and won 2-1 against Empoli but their performances have not been convincing. Milan still look like a group of individuals but they now have a very motivated coach in ex Inter defender Sinisa Mihajlovic who could put the Rossoneri back on the right track.
Here is the Inter team news and probable line up as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport:
Ahead of the Derby Felipe Melo, Alex Telles, Adem Ljajic and Ivan Perisic are all available for their debuts but the bad news is that Brazilian defender Joao Miranda is expected to miss the game after picking up a knee injury in his country’s friendly against the United States. Miranda has been named in the squad but is expected to do more tests with Inter’s medical staff on the morning of the match in a bid to make the team.
Also with Hernanes having moved to Juventus on deadline day Inter are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation instead of the 4-3-1-2 that had been used.
Samir Handanovic starts in goals with Davide Santon at right back. With questions marks over Miranda, Andrea Ranocchia is expected to come in to partner Jeison Murillo. At left back Juan Jesus is expected to keep his place ahead of new signing Alex Telles.
In midfield Geoffrey Kondogbia and Fredy Guarin are expected to start alongside one of Gary Medel or Felipe Melo.
There is positive news as last season’s capo-cannoniere Mauro Icardi returns from injury to become the youngest Derby captain in 50 years. Icardi will be flanked with Ivan Perisic and Stevan Jovetic who is in superb form.
Adem Ljajic could also help make a 4-2-3-1 formation but Roberto Mancini will probably start by working on the width of the attack before taking one man out of midfield.
Probable Inter line up (subject to change): (4-3-3) Handanovic, Santon, Ranocchia, Murillo, Juan Jesus, Medel, Kondogbia, Guarin, Perisic, Jovetic, Icardi.
Bench: Carrizo, Berni, Telles, Montoya, Miranda, D’Ambrosio, Nagatomo, Gnoukouri, Brozovic, Melo, Palacio, Biabiany, Ljajic, Manaj.
Some Stats:
Down the years 17 Ballon D’or winners have played in the Milan Derby, that’s 2 more than Spain’s El Classico between Barcelona and Real Madrid which has had 15 winners take part.
Last season both derbies ended in draws, the first on 23 November 2014 ended 1-1 with goals from Menez and Joel Obi, the second on 19 April this year was goalless.
Inter’s last victory in the Derby came on 22 December 2013 with a 1-0 win secured by Rodrigo Palacio’s backheeled finish.
This will be the 185th Milan Derby in Serie A with Inter leading with 68 wins to Milan’s 61 wins with 55 drawn.
Overall in all competitions Inter lead narrowly with 75 wins compared to Milan’s 73 with 64 draws in the 212 matches.
Player to Watch: Stevan Jovetic – The Montenegrin is on a hot streak right now. He has scored 3 goals in 2 matches for Inter and scored for his country during the international break.
My Prediction: Inter 2-1 Milan
Scorers: Jovetic, Icardi (Inter), Bacca (Milan)
Officials: Referee: Gianluca Rocchi Assistants: Giallatini, Padovan
Fourth Official: Di Fiore Additional Assistants: Orsato, Valeri
Author’s Note: I see this game being tight as both teams are in rebuilding mode but I make Inter slight favourites due to their current form but really anything could happen in this match as we’ve seen down the years. Milan will probably struggle to cope with Inter’s width but in turn Milan may have more possession due to having more numbers in midfield. Anyway I’d like to think we can win this one. Forza Inter!
