As Inter Milan and AC Milan prepare to face off in the 162nd Derby della Madonnina, both the Nerazzurri and the Rossoneri will head into the clash knowing that they really will only be playing for bragging rights.
Gone are the days where this match would decide the much-coveted Scudetto, as Juventus continues to cruise along towards clinching it for a fourth straight season. Nor will either side be competing for a Champions League or even Europa League berth. Those desired spots are set to be contested between Lazio, Roma, Napoli, Sampdoria, and Fiorentina.
Indeed, a look at the table shows that the two fallen Milan giants are really unlikely to even feature in Europe next season, with a top ten finish not even a guarantee:
Dumped out of the Europa League by German outfit Wolfsburg and failing to achieve any form of consistency in the league, Inter coach Roberto Mancini still has hopes of his team achieving some kind of turn-around this season. His first derby upon his return ended as a 1-1 stalemate back in November, yet the former striker believes this could be turning point his team desperately needs:
.@robymancio: "Il derby è una partita importante, credo che debba essere la base per un grande rilancio" #InterMilan #FCIM
— F.C. Internazionale (@Inter) April 18, 2015
"The derby is an important game...I think that it needs to be the start of a huge revival"
Unfortunately, though, his objective will be made more difficult due to some absentees:
.@robymancio: "Dispiace non poter confermare Guarin e Brozovic, avevano fatto bene. Spero che chi giocherà faccia bene" #InterMilan #FCIM
— F.C. Internazionale (@Inter) April 18, 2015
"It's a shame that I could not call up [Fredy] Guarin and [Marcelo] Brozovic [because] they have done well [so far].[So] I hope those [who are selected to] play do well."
Meanwhile, his opposing tactician Filippo Inzaghi has not had an easy spell since taking over from the sacked Clarence Seedorf this summer. Like Mancini, he, too is no stranger to the long-stemming rivalry between the Beneamata and the Diavolo, having, in his case, experienced it several times as a player.
Out of Europe due to their disappointing finish last term, Milan look set to miss out yet again on the Champions League and have a huge battle ahead if they want to even try to feature in the Europa League, with a massive eight point gap between them and Sampdoria.
The decline in both teams' fortunes as of late certainly is something that surprises and disappoints new midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura:
"It feels strange [that] a few years ago, the game was played with Inter and Milan in higher positions in the league," the former Atalanta man mused prior to tonight's match.
"[But] we know that by winning the derby we'll give a bit more enthusiasm to the supporters and to ourselves. [As such] it's still an important game for us, one that we must prepare for appropriately."
Injuries have not been kind to the Rossoneri, but they will certainly be pleased with the return of Keisuke Honda and Mattia Destro's return the fold, albeit Stephan El Shaarawy is still one that has yet to recover from his injury.
As for Inzaghi, his assessment of his team's upcoming task was quite simple and to the point:
#ACMilan #forzamilan Inzaghi: "The derby is a match that has to be won and Milan will do everything to win it
— AC Milan News (@ACMilanNewsOnly) April 18, 2015
The last five derby matches between Inter and Milan have been closely contested affairs, with no more than two goals scored in each match between the two sides. In fact, the last time fans of both sides were in for a real goal-fest was back on May 6, 2012, when a hat-trick from Diego Milito plus a solitary Maicon strike was enough to cancel out Zlatan Ibrahimovic's double. The Nerazzurri won that match 4-2.
The Derby della Madonnina may have lost some of its appeal in recent years, but for fans of both Inter and Milan, it will be a closely watched one indeed as both sides seek to restore some pride after their respective disappointing campaigns this season.
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