One of soccer’s greatest rivalries takes center stage this coming Sunday as Serie A giants Inter Milan and AC Milan renew their long-standing rivalry in the 213th edition of the Milan derby. Even though both teams are struggling at the present time, expect the emotions to run high once again as they look to grab that all-important victory to bring that much-needed boost to their respective Serie A campaigns.
Can Mancini win in his first game back as Inter manager? Or will Inzaghi wreck his grand return? Read on for a complete preview of this showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the big Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United here.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]AC Milan can climb into fourth place with a victory over Inter this coming Sunday. Roberto Mancini’s men, on the other hand, can leapfrog AC Milan and land in fifth place in the team standings with 19 points.
Betting on AC Milan
AC Milan’s poor run of form continued last Sunday as they once again failed to take away all three points in a 2-2 stalemate at Sampdoria. Jeremy Menez fired in a 65th minute equalizer from the penalty spot to spare Milan’s blushes as they remained above Inter Milan in seventh place heading into their big clash this coming Sunday.
Still it was another disappointing display from Filippo Inzaghi’s men who stumbled to their fourth successive game without a victory. After winning their first two games, many were expecting great things from Inzaghi who arrived at the club with much fanfare after replacing Clarence Seedorf who was sacked after just five months in charge.
With the way things are going now, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Inzaghi suffers the same fate as Seedorf. Ever since that great start, the Rossoneri have managed to win just twice in nine matches only grabbing a total of 11 points out of a possible 27. So what has happened to Milan since then?
Clearly, Milan’s defense has not been up to par this season. Through 11 games this campaign, they have already allowed 16 goals which is seventh-worst in the Serie A this year. The players are clearly still trying to adjust to the more attacking 4-3-3 formation that Inzaghi has decided to employ this year.
Inzaghi has admitted that he designed this formation specifically for Stephan El Shaarawy, as the 21-year-old Italian striker has said that he is more comfortable playing on the left side of attack. Unfortunately, that move has not translated into goals as he has scored only once this season.
The good news for Milan fans, though, is that he bagged it in their last game against Sampdoria. That will serve him in good stead ahead of their meeting with Inter Milan who have allowed just 14 goals this season, ninth-best in the entire Serie A.
Walter Mazzarri’s reign as Inter boss is finally over after his side failed to grab all three points once again in a disappointing 2-2 draw with Hellas Verona on Monday. That’s now three straight games without a win for Inter, who will now be managed by former boss Roberto Mancini.
Mancini will inherit a team that is only ninth in the league table with just 16 points this season. Even if that is the case, a win against their bitter rivals AC Milan will definitely lift the morale not only of their players but of their entire fanbase. For such a big occasion, Mancini will be relying on a youngster, 21-year-old phenom Mauro Icardi who has taken the Serie A by storm this season with his excellent play.
The Argentine footballer has been lights out for Inter this season, already scoring seven goals which is the third-best mark in the Serie A this year. Two of those goals came in their last match against Verona as he clearly flourished in Mazzari’s preferred 3-5-2 formation.
It is Inter’s defense, though, that is clearly having some problems right now. On paper, a trio of Nemanja Vidic, Andrea Ranocchia and Juan with Handanovic as their goalkeeper should be good enough to produce one clean sheet after another. That has not been the case recently as they have allowed five goals in their last three outings.
In their last game against Verona, they allowed Nico Lopez to score a dramatic 89th minute equalizer to deny their side all three points. It won’t get any easier for them this coming Sunday as they face a Milan side that is third-best in the Serie A in scoring with 20 goals this campaign. The main threat for the Rossoneri is Japanese star Keisuke Honda who has already bagged six goals this season.
The good news for Inter, though, is that they have a pretty good record against AC Milan in the last three seasons. Inter are 4-1-1 in their last six Serie A matches with AC Milan.
Inter Milan are 1-2-2 on the road this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Inter Milan and AC Milan cancel each other out in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
