With Inter’s season on the brink of total implosion, the Nerazurri have the tough task of trying to beat the in-form Milan to retain their fourth positon. Match on Sunday at 20:30 CET
No Derby Della Madonnina has held higher stakes in recent history than this one. Both sides are in the middle of a renaissance and are fighting for the position of footballing flag bearer for the city. A win for either side gives the victor solitary occupancy of third place while a draw or a loss can see the sides enter into an unnecessary dogfight with Roma for the coveted fourth place finish.
To refer to Inter’s current situation as suboptimal would be a huge disservice to the concept of linguistic nuance. Plain and simple; Inter are a step or two away from complete meltdown. However, silver linings are that a result in the Derby can erase all the malcontent setting the Nerazzurri up for a spectacular season finish.
While tactics and manpower selection are always important, in the derby desire, fight and output usually dictate who wins. If Inter show the same attitude on display against Eintracht and Cagliari then the match is as good as lost. Positively however, one needs not look too far back for an example where the Nerazzurri battled for a result, both matches against SPAL and Fiotentina are examples of which.
Under Gattuso Milan’s derby showings have been timid and fearful, it is highly doubtful that the same Milan shows up on Subday. With their most impressive run of form and the league’s most in form striker behind them, expect Gattuso to show some uncharacteristic daring.
This sets up an interesting encounter, both managers know that anything but a win can spell disaster. Unmissable.
Team News
Little positive news is coming out of the Inter camp, with the Nerazzurri unceremoniously dumped out of the Europa League, the Curva has decided to stage a protest at the derby by not organizing a choreography or a tifo as usually done in a derby. It seems clear that Radja Nainggolan will sit this match out, but possibly more importantly, Marcelo Brozovic’s health seems a sure thing now.
Probable Inter line-up (4-2-3-1): Handanovic (C); D’Ambrosio, DiVrij, Skriniar, Asamoah; Vecino, Brozovic; Perisic, Joao Mario, Politano; Lautaro
Stats
Last Season: Milan 0 – 0 Inter.
Last 10 Head to Head: While Inter hold a slight four to two lead ahead of the hosts over the last ten matches, with the derby in particular, form and recent history have little bearing on the result, all that matters is the ninety minutes and which team shows more desire.
Keep an Eye on
Lautaro Martinez: There is no bigger oppurtunity for the Argentian striker to put his name in Inter history and usurp Mauro Icardi as Inter talisman than with a strong showing in the derby. Inter looked less than abysmal going forward in the Europa League without El Toro and now that he’s back, expect him to give his all to try and pull his side back into the comfort of third place.
Officials
Referee: Marco Guida
Assistants: Carbone, Passeri
Fourth Official: Fabbri
VAR Assistants: Calvarese, Vivenzi
Prediction & Concluding Remarks
Prediction & scorers: Milan 2-1 Inter with Lautaro scoring a consolation goal.
Concluding remarks: When the writing’s on the wall, the writing’s on the wall. Inter are currently living through an epic slump in form, attitude and morale. Exasperated by Icardi’s petty rebellion the team’s current form is in stark contrast to Milan’s purple patch. Chances that Inter are able to pull off an unlikely upset are slim.
