The Milanese rivals, Inter and AC Milan, are set to face off in the high-stakes Supercoppa Italiana final on Monday evening.
Holders Inter will be seeking a fourth consecutive triumph in the competition, while the Rossoneri aim to draw level with their city foes on eight supercup titles.
Both teams booked their place in the final through semi-final victories. Inter comfortably dispatched Atalanta 2-0, with Denzel Dumfries netting a brace, while Milan overcame Juventus 2-1 in a closer encounter under new manager Sergio Conceicao.
Heading into the derby showdown, Inter are in superior form, having won five league games in a row. However, Milan have struggled in recent months, falling 13 points behind their rivals in the Serie A table. The Rossoneri’s hopes of Champions League qualification are also on the line.
Team News
Inter could be without top scorer Marcus Thuram due to a thigh injury sustained in the semi-final. Joaquin Correa or Marko Arnautovic may deputize alongside Lautaro Martinez in attack.
Defensively, Benjamin Pavard and Francesco Acerbi are unavailable.
Milan’s lineup is less certain, but Fikayo Tomori, Ismael Bennacer and Christian Pulisic – who scored against Juventus – are expected to retain their places.
Rafael Leao is a doubt, while Tammy Abraham and Alvaro Morata may again be paired up front.
Predicted Lineups
Inter Milan:
Sommer;
Dumfries, De Vrij, Bastoni;
Dimarco, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan;
Correa, Martinez
AC Milan: (4-2-3-1)
Maignan;
Hernandez, Tomori, Thiaw, Emerson;
Fofana, Bennacer;
Pulisic, Reijnders, Jimenez;
Morata
Given Inter’s superior form and deeper squad, they are tipped to clinch a narrow victory.