In a highly anticipated clash, Italian football giants Inter Milan and AC Milan are set to lock horns at San Siro this Saturday, with their perfect records on the line.
Both teams have secured three wins in three matches, making this Derby della Madonnina a battle for Serie A supremacy.
Inter’s Historic Quest
Inter Milan enters the fixture with an impressive record of four consecutive victories against Milan, without conceding a single goal.
This remarkable feat is yet to be accomplished in the clubs’ 114-year rivalry. Inter is not only seeking bragging rights but also the top spot in Serie A and an early advantage in the title race.
The Nerazzurri’s recent dominance in the Milan derby extends to scoring first in their last 10 encounters across Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Champions League.
Under the guidance of coach Simone Inzaghi, Inter has made a strong start to the 2023-24 season, winning their first three matches without conceding a goal.
Inter’s solid defense has not allowed a Serie A goal since May, raising hopes of a Scudetto win and perhaps a deep run in Europe, after narrowly missing out on the Champions League crown last season.
While Inter prepares for its upcoming Champions League campaign, their sole focus remains on conquering the Derby della Madonnina.
Milan’s Resurgence
Milan, despite recent disappointments, including last season’s Champions League semi-final exit, has won three of their last six league meetings with Inter.
However, in their most recent Serie A encounter in February, Inter emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline, courtesy of Lautaro Martinez’s first-half strike.
This season, Milan finds itself level on points with Inter for the first time since May 2001, a time when they celebrated a remarkable 6-0 victory.
Under coach Stefano Pioli’s guidance and with a revamped midfield, Milan has started the season with three consecutive wins, including a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Roma despite being reduced to 10 men.
Strikers Olivier Giroud and Lautaro Martinez are in top form, setting the stage for an exciting duel in this weekend’s derby.
Team News
Inter’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, is expected to field an unchanged starting XI, with only minor doubts surrounding Francesco Acerbi and Juan Cuadrado’s fitness. Summer signings Davide Frattesi and Marko Arnautovic are likely to feature as substitutes.
Lautaro Martinez, Inter’s captain, is in excellent condition, having played a minimal role in Argentina’s recent international match. He aims to add to his tally of eight goals against Milan.
Milan, on the other hand, faces a challenge as Fikayo Tomori serves a suspension. Simon Kjaer is expected to partner Malick Thiaw in defense, with Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao joining Olivier Giroud in a 4-3-3 formation.
Predicted Lineups:
Inter Milan:
- Sommer
- Darmian
- De Vrij
- Bastoni
- Dumfries
- Barella
- Calhanoglu
- Mkhitaryan
- Dimarco
- Thuram
- Martinez
AC Milan:
- Maignan
- Calabria
- Thiaw
- Kjaer
- Hernandez
- Loftus-Cheek
- Krunic
- Reijnders
- Pulisic
- Giroud
- Leao
Prediction
In a clash between two high-scoring teams, Inter Milan and AC Milan, who have both netted eight goals in Serie A this season, the match promises to be a closely contested affair. The fear of derby defeat will likely play a significant role, making goals precious commodities.
Our prediction: Inter Milan 2-1 AC Milan.