Week 12 of Serie A will see Milan and Inter battle it out at the San Siro in a much-anticipated derby.
Inter have recently had jurisdiction over the Derby della Madonnina, as they have won their last three encounters against Milan.
Sunday therefore will be a revenge mission for Milan despite Clarence Seedorf's insistence that it is "just another game."
Milan were hammered 4-0 and 2-0 by Inter in last season's two encounters, but it is unlikely that the weekend's derby will be as lopsided. Inter only sit three points behind Milan, who are on top, both in terms of points and morale.
Inter- End of an Era?
Inter have been in unfamiliar territory recently. A club long derided all over Italy--even by their own fans--for being chronic under-achievers have suddenly become the swagger of Italy, and not just.
Their European Cup triumph of 2010 has finally redeemed, in part, more than four decades of failure on the European stage. It was Argentine coach Helenio Herrera who guided Inter to two European Cups in the 1960s, and he left behind an almost impossible act to follow. The mantle of Herrera was finally taken by Jose Mourinho, and it is testament to Mourinho's talent and mettle that he was able to achieve European triumph with a club which, despite success since 2006 on the domestic scene, had long lost the culture of winning on the continent.
When Mourinho left for Real Madrid over the summer, his replacement was a lugubrious and charmless Rafael Benitez, a man who had just presided over a Liverpool club in sharp decline. Inter owner Massimo Moratti appointed Benitez with the presumable intention of maintaining success, which can be harder, at times, than inaugurating it. Benitez has inherited players who have won it all, and his charges have looked jaded on occasion. Most notably, Douglas Maicon, celebrated for a time as the best fullback in Europe, was torn apart by Tottenham's Gareth Bale in a recent Champions League encounter. Yet, Inter's problems seem more pervasive than just Maicon. It is their mental fragility which is so uncharacteristic and alarming. They squandered a lead against Lecce last weekend, a few days after they were dismantled 3-1 by Tottenham.
Obviously, Benitez has struggled to find a winning formula. Samuel Eto'o hailed his coach's decision finally to play him closer to goal, but, much to the Cameroonian’s frustration, he is set to provide for Diego Milito from a wider position.
Inter will also have to contend with several key injuries. Wesley Sneijder has vowed to make it in time after his collapse due to anaemia, but there will be no Walter Samuel as the defender is out for the season with a serious knee injury. Further, Esteban Cambiasso is still convalescing on the sidelines, meaning Dejan Stankovic and Goran Pandev will be even more crucial for Inter.
In defence, Inter may start with Santon, Ivan Cordoba, Lucio, and Christian Chivu. Julio Cesar is expected to return in goal.
Milan Resurgent
Milan have recently been living in the shadow of Inter, which is also unfamiliar territory for them. After all, while their arch-rivals were languishing in Italy, Milan were storming to success after success in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s. Even in this past decade, Milan have won two European Cups to Inter’s one, but, as Mourinho recently reminded everyone, Inter are ahead of their cousins, and the last five years have dramatically reinforced that fact, especially in terms of domestic success.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani recently said that he believes that his side are good enough to win the Scudetto, an honour that has eluded them since 2004. Winning this derby, then, will be a big psychological boost for a club that has been comprehensively outplayed by Inter in recent memory.
Yet, this season, Milan are at the summit of Serie A despite having not played exceptionally well. The arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho have had an effect, but the return to form of Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo has had a commensurate, if not greater, one. Coach Massimiliano Allegri has also not been afraid to modify his tactics and personnel. While he started the season with a 4-3-3, which saw Ronaldinho, Pato, and Ibrahimovic lead the attack, he has recently switched to a more solid 4-4-2, which sees Clarence Seedorf play behind Ibrahimovic and one of Pato and Robinho. Ronaldinho has recently been benched due to "technical reasons" (Allegri). However, he is widely tipped to return to the starting line-up against Inter.
That 4-4-2 was Milan’s tactic against Palermo, and they were successful not least because the midfield was also a perfect blend of steel and creativity. Kevin-Prince Boateng and Massimo Ambrosini played alongside a reinvigorated Matthieu Flamini. Further, a defence of Ignazio Abate, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, and Gianluca Zambrotta/Luca Antonini may not be completely impenetrable, but it is highly functional.
Unfortunately, Allegri will have to do without Pato, who is out for six weeks, so Milan may start with Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho, who will be used as a striker, while Andrea Pirlo may return to the midfield, pushing Flamini to the bench, a move that may be a mistake. A much more sensible option would be for Allegri to accommodate Flamini by taking off Boateng, as Gattuso or Ambrosini will be able to do the tough tackling.
What they are saying
Dejan Stankovic forgets that while his side were favourites last season, they beat Milan comfortably: "Let Milan be favourites. It is a dangerous tag."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Milan, and formerly of Inter, refuses to extend an olive branch: "I want the Inter fans to jeer me because it fires me up."
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri takes a measured approach: "When we lost to Juventus we were not a side in crisis, and after our recent wins against Bari and Palermo, we are not phenomenal. However, we are ready for Inter."
Inter coach Rafael Benitez evokes the Rossoneri's Istanbul nightmare: "I realized how important this derby is during the [Champions League Final] in Istanbul when Inter fans were supporting [Liverpool]."
5 Intriguing Stats
1) Milan and Inter have played 174 Serie A derbies. Inter have won 64 of them and Milan have won 58. 52 of them have been drawn.
2) Milan have lost to Inter in the last 3 Serie A derbies.
3) This Serie A season, Inter have conceded five less (6 to Milan's 11) than Milan, but Milan have scored 7 more (20 to Inter's 13).
4) Ibrahimovic scored his 100th goal in Italian football against Palermo.
5) Inter's Samuel Eto'o (right) is co-leader of the Serie A scoring charts with 8 goals so far.
Prediction
The key to this game lies in the midfield. If Milan’s midfield can keep possession and win the challenges then Seedorf, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho and/or Robinho are more than capable of slicing through Inter’s defence, which has looked far from unbeatable.
However, how Thiago Silva and Nesta contain Eto’o and Milito will also be a crucial factor.
I personally think this game will end in a narrow Milan win. 1-0.
Sunday therefore will be a revenge mission for Milan despite Clarence Seedorf's insistence that it is "just another game."
Milan were hammered 4-0 and 2-0 by Inter in last season's two encounters, but it is unlikely that the weekend's derby will be as lopsided. Inter only sit three points behind Milan, who are on top, both in terms of points and morale.
Inter- End of an Era?
Inter have been in unfamiliar territory recently. A club long derided all over Italy--even by their own fans--for being chronic under-achievers have suddenly become the swagger of Italy, and not just.
Their European Cup triumph of 2010 has finally redeemed, in part, more than four decades of failure on the European stage. It was Argentine coach Helenio Herrera who guided Inter to two European Cups in the 1960s, and he left behind an almost impossible act to follow. The mantle of Herrera was finally taken by Jose Mourinho, and it is testament to Mourinho's talent and mettle that he was able to achieve European triumph with a club which, despite success since 2006 on the domestic scene, had long lost the culture of winning on the continent.
When Mourinho left for Real Madrid over the summer, his replacement was a lugubrious and charmless Rafael Benitez, a man who had just presided over a Liverpool club in sharp decline. Inter owner Massimo Moratti appointed Benitez with the presumable intention of maintaining success, which can be harder, at times, than inaugurating it. Benitez has inherited players who have won it all, and his charges have looked jaded on occasion. Most notably, Douglas Maicon, celebrated for a time as the best fullback in Europe, was torn apart by Tottenham's Gareth Bale in a recent Champions League encounter. Yet, Inter's problems seem more pervasive than just Maicon. It is their mental fragility which is so uncharacteristic and alarming. They squandered a lead against Lecce last weekend, a few days after they were dismantled 3-1 by Tottenham.
Obviously, Benitez has struggled to find a winning formula. Samuel Eto'o hailed his coach's decision finally to play him closer to goal, but, much to the Cameroonian’s frustration, he is set to provide for Diego Milito from a wider position.
Inter will also have to contend with several key injuries. Wesley Sneijder has vowed to make it in time after his collapse due to anaemia, but there will be no Walter Samuel as the defender is out for the season with a serious knee injury. Further, Esteban Cambiasso is still convalescing on the sidelines, meaning Dejan Stankovic and Goran Pandev will be even more crucial for Inter.
In defence, Inter may start with Santon, Ivan Cordoba, Lucio, and Christian Chivu. Julio Cesar is expected to return in goal.
Milan Resurgent
Milan have recently been living in the shadow of Inter, which is also unfamiliar territory for them. After all, while their arch-rivals were languishing in Italy, Milan were storming to success after success in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s. Even in this past decade, Milan have won two European Cups to Inter’s one, but, as Mourinho recently reminded everyone, Inter are ahead of their cousins, and the last five years have dramatically reinforced that fact, especially in terms of domestic success.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani recently said that he believes that his side are good enough to win the Scudetto, an honour that has eluded them since 2004. Winning this derby, then, will be a big psychological boost for a club that has been comprehensively outplayed by Inter in recent memory.
Yet, this season, Milan are at the summit of Serie A despite having not played exceptionally well. The arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho have had an effect, but the return to form of Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo has had a commensurate, if not greater, one. Coach Massimiliano Allegri has also not been afraid to modify his tactics and personnel. While he started the season with a 4-3-3, which saw Ronaldinho, Pato, and Ibrahimovic lead the attack, he has recently switched to a more solid 4-4-2, which sees Clarence Seedorf play behind Ibrahimovic and one of Pato and Robinho. Ronaldinho has recently been benched due to "technical reasons" (Allegri). However, he is widely tipped to return to the starting line-up against Inter.
That 4-4-2 was Milan’s tactic against Palermo, and they were successful not least because the midfield was also a perfect blend of steel and creativity. Kevin-Prince Boateng and Massimo Ambrosini played alongside a reinvigorated Matthieu Flamini. Further, a defence of Ignazio Abate, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, and Gianluca Zambrotta/Luca Antonini may not be completely impenetrable, but it is highly functional.
Unfortunately, Allegri will have to do without Pato, who is out for six weeks, so Milan may start with Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho, who will be used as a striker, while Andrea Pirlo may return to the midfield, pushing Flamini to the bench, a move that may be a mistake. A much more sensible option would be for Allegri to accommodate Flamini by taking off Boateng, as Gattuso or Ambrosini will be able to do the tough tackling.
What they are saying
Dejan Stankovic forgets that while his side were favourites last season, they beat Milan comfortably: "Let Milan be favourites. It is a dangerous tag."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Milan, and formerly of Inter, refuses to extend an olive branch: "I want the Inter fans to jeer me because it fires me up."
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri takes a measured approach: "When we lost to Juventus we were not a side in crisis, and after our recent wins against Bari and Palermo, we are not phenomenal. However, we are ready for Inter."
Inter coach Rafael Benitez evokes the Rossoneri's Istanbul nightmare: "I realized how important this derby is during the [Champions League Final] in Istanbul when Inter fans were supporting [Liverpool]."
5 Intriguing Stats
1) Milan and Inter have played 174 Serie A derbies. Inter have won 64 of them and Milan have won 58. 52 of them have been drawn.
2) Milan have lost to Inter in the last 3 Serie A derbies.
3) This Serie A season, Inter have conceded five less (6 to Milan's 11) than Milan, but Milan have scored 7 more (20 to Inter's 13).
4) Ibrahimovic scored his 100th goal in Italian football against Palermo.
5) Inter's Samuel Eto'o (right) is co-leader of the Serie A scoring charts with 8 goals so far.
Prediction
The key to this game lies in the midfield. If Milan’s midfield can keep possession and win the challenges then Seedorf, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho and/or Robinho are more than capable of slicing through Inter’s defence, which has looked far from unbeatable.
However, how Thiago Silva and Nesta contain Eto’o and Milito will also be a crucial factor.
I personally think this game will end in a narrow Milan win. 1-0.
