AC Milan vs Inter live on November 7, 2021: Rossoneri aiming to end horrible Milan Derby run in Sunday's clash

November 7, 2021 By Ali M.

Topics: TV Schedules, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Serie A

The two Milan giants will lock horns in the final game of Matchday 12, with neither side being able to afford a slip up.

Preview

The Milan Derby, one of the most heated rivalries in world football, will mark its return on Sunday, with AC Milan set to lock horns with Inter Milan in the final game of Matchday 12. The pair will battle it out at the San Siro at 3:45 p.m. ET as neither side can afford to drop points due to the tricky title race.

The Rossoneri head into this clash on the back of another disappointing European result, playing out a 1-1 draw with Porto in the UEFA Champions League. That score line secured them their first point of the season, but unfortunately, it will do nothing in aiding their campaign to make the round of 16.

Pioli's men sit bottom of their group, and with third-placed Atletico Madrid sitting three points ahead, even a drop into the UEFA Europa League round of 32 appears unlikely. Fortunately for il Diavolo, they have been soaring in Serie A, with Ibrahimovic and Co. sitting level on points with league leaders Napoli.

AC Milan are yet to lose a single game, drawing once and winning their remaining 10 outings. As a result, they boast 31 points, seven more than the next best team, which just so happens to be Inter Milan. This means the Rossoneri have more wiggle room in case of a slip up. The same is not true for the defending champions of Italy, however.

Given that the Nerazzurri are already seven points behind in their title defense, a slip up could result in that deficit increasing to nine points, or worse, 10. That will likely be an insurmountable gap for Lautaro Martinez and Co.

Victory in the Milan Derby could spark a turnaround for Inzaghi's side. The Scudetto holders head into this tie on the back of a three-game winning streak across all competitions, but it should be noted that Inter Milan stumbled in their last two encounters with fellow Italian heavyweights, losing 3-1 to Lazio before drawing 1-1 with Juventus.

Regardless, the Milan giants can draw inspiration from their UEFA Champions League form, a stark contrast with the Rossoneri. Back-to-back victories over Moldovan outfit Sheriff have seen the Italians climb to second in their group, with only Real Madrid sitting ahead of them thanks to a two-point advantage. Can Inter replicate this form when they take to the field in the Milan Derby or will Pioli's side continue their rampant start to the season? Only time will tell.

Team news

AC Milan: Theo Hernandez is suspended and will thus sit this tie out. His absence is made worse by the ongoing injury crisis at the club, with Samu Castillejo, Alessio Romagnoli, Junior Messias and Mike Maignan all being on the sidelines. Calabria picked up a head injury during the midweek but could be declared fit for this game.

Inter Milan: The Nerazzurri boast a fully-fit squad, and as a result, Ivan Perisic appears destined to return to the lineup. Lautaro Martinez will join Edin Dzeko in attack while Hakan Calhanoglu could face AC Milan for the first time since leaving the Rossoneri for their bitter city rivals.

Key stats

AC Milan have lost the last three Milan Derbies when designated as the home side.
The Rossoneri are on a seven-game winning streak in Serie A, a run only bettered by the nine-game accomplishment set by Carlo Ancelotti's 2006 side.
The Nerazzurri boast six wins out of their last seven run-ins with AC Milan.
Inter Milan are unbeaten in 31 of their last 33 Italian top-flight fixtures.