Milan will come to a stand-still as the fierce rivals fight for supremacy in a game that simply can't be missed.
Fierce rivals Inter and AC Milan lock horns in what promises to be a hotly contested Derby Della Madonnina at the San Siro stadium on Sunday.
Both clubs haven't commenced their Serie A campaigns in the manner that they would have liked to, but have improved significantly in recent weeks, and just in time for the highly-anticipated city derby.
Inter have had the upper-hand in recent clashes between the sides, with three consecutive victories, and will come into this fixture as the slight favourites.
The Nerazzuri, who have made a number of modifications to their first team squad in comparison to last season, jumped into third place of the Serie A with their 2-1 victory over Fiorentina last Sunday, and will be hoping to continue to escalate under Andrea Stramaccioni.
Milan, on the other hand, have languished to a disappointing eleventh place after fighting out a 1-1 draw with Parma. Like Inter, Milan have also made a number of changes to their squad, but unlike their rivals, most of their losses have been big ones. It is clear that Milan are missing the goal-scoring instincts of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
If statistics are taken into consideration, the derby will most likely have a winner, because the rivals haven't shared the spoils in 19 games, dating back to October of 2004.
Stramaccioni, who claims that his side don't come into the game as the favourites, will be unable to count with the services of Dutch attacker Wesley Sneijder, who sustained a thigh injury. Other players who will miss the match include Dejan Stankovic, Rodrigo Palacio and Cristian Chivu.
The coach is expected to maintain three at the back, with Andrea Ranocchia, Walter Samuel and Brazilian youngster Juan, and has decided to start Uruguayan midfielder Walter Gargano instead of experienced Argentine international Esteban Cambiasso.
Other than Alexandre Pato, under-fire Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri will be able to count with the grand majority of his stars.
A cautious Allegri has selected a rather defensive starting eleven, where former Inter striker Giampaolo Pazzini will be the lone striker at front, with in-form youngster Stephan Shaarawy offering him support from the left flank.
Allegri's job is definitely on the line, and a defeat could certainly lead to his imminent dismissal.
Both clubs haven't commenced their Serie A campaigns in the manner that they would have liked to, but have improved significantly in recent weeks, and just in time for the highly-anticipated city derby.
Inter have had the upper-hand in recent clashes between the sides, with three consecutive victories, and will come into this fixture as the slight favourites.
The Nerazzuri, who have made a number of modifications to their first team squad in comparison to last season, jumped into third place of the Serie A with their 2-1 victory over Fiorentina last Sunday, and will be hoping to continue to escalate under Andrea Stramaccioni.
Milan, on the other hand, have languished to a disappointing eleventh place after fighting out a 1-1 draw with Parma. Like Inter, Milan have also made a number of changes to their squad, but unlike their rivals, most of their losses have been big ones. It is clear that Milan are missing the goal-scoring instincts of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
If statistics are taken into consideration, the derby will most likely have a winner, because the rivals haven't shared the spoils in 19 games, dating back to October of 2004.
Stramaccioni, who claims that his side don't come into the game as the favourites, will be unable to count with the services of Dutch attacker Wesley Sneijder, who sustained a thigh injury. Other players who will miss the match include Dejan Stankovic, Rodrigo Palacio and Cristian Chivu.
The coach is expected to maintain three at the back, with Andrea Ranocchia, Walter Samuel and Brazilian youngster Juan, and has decided to start Uruguayan midfielder Walter Gargano instead of experienced Argentine international Esteban Cambiasso.
Other than Alexandre Pato, under-fire Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri will be able to count with the grand majority of his stars.
A cautious Allegri has selected a rather defensive starting eleven, where former Inter striker Giampaolo Pazzini will be the lone striker at front, with in-form youngster Stephan Shaarawy offering him support from the left flank.
Allegri's job is definitely on the line, and a defeat could certainly lead to his imminent dismissal.
