Inter Milan vs AC Milan | Sunday 22 September | San Siro | 20:45
The stage is set for one of football’s most electrifying spectacles: the Derby della Madonnina. As the sun sets over the iconic San Siro, the historic rivalry between Inter Milan and AC Milan reignites, promising a clash filled with passion, pride, and pure footballing drama.
To win (90 min)
Inter Milan 7/10
Draw 51/20
AC Milan 38/10
Inter Milan
Inter Milan, current Scudetto champions, have positively begun their title defense as they remain unbeaten after four games with two wins and two draws. Their previous league outing was a nail-biting 1-1 stalemate with Monza after Denzel Dumfries scored in the 88th minute to secure a much-needed point. It was not the dominant, fluid, and expansive Inter from last season, but one thing for sure is that we can expect fireworks when they come up against arch-rivals AC Milan.
Under Simone Inzaghi, Inter has adopted a balanced approach, combining solid defensive organization with quick transitions and clinical finishing. Their ability to score early and control the game has been a hallmark of their success.
Defensively, Inter is characterized by its organization and discipline. The three central defenders, often including Alessandro Bastoni and Stefan de Vrij, are adept at maintaining a compact shape. The wingbacks, such as Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco, drop back to form a five-man defense when out of possession.
Offensively, Inter Milan focuses on quick transitions and exploiting spaces left by the opposition. The midfield trio, usually featuring Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Piotr Zielinski, plays a crucial role in linking defense and attack. The strikers, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram work in tandem, with one often dropping deep to create space for the other.
Another quality instilled by Inzaghi is their tactical flexibility. The team can switch between different formations and styles of play depending on the opponent and match situations. This adaptability has made Inter a formidable opponent in both domestic and European competitions. Inter has dominated recent derbies, winning the last five encounters. This dominance has been a testament to Inzaghi’s tactical prowess and the team’s overall quality. They will be ready to continue this dominance after facing a familiar foe, Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
AC Milan
AC Milan has struggled to play their normal free-flowing football since the appointment of Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca. The 51-year-old previously managed Lille for two seasons before taking over from Stefano Pioli, who is now the manager of the Italian national team. Their recent league fixture against Venezia, which ended 4-0 in favour of Milan, proved they are still one of the top teams in Serie A despite their recent struggles.
Fonseca’s arrival at AC Milan has brought a new tactical dimension to the team. His emphasis on high pressing and possession-based play has started to shape the team’s identity. The switch to zonal marking is one of the most notable changes. This system requires the team to move as a cohesive unit, maintaining vertical and horizontal compactness. While it has its risks, such as vulnerability to quick switches of play, it allows Milan to control key areas of the pitch.
Offensively, the team looks to control the game through short, quick passes and maintaining high possession. The attacking midfielders, including Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, play crucial roles in creating chances and linking up with the striker, Tammy Abraham or Alvaro Morata.
The Rossoneri, under Paulo Fonseca, is evolving with a focus on high-pressing and possession-based football. The tactical changes and player development under Fonseca’s guidance are starting to take shape. The upcoming derby against Inter Milan will be a crucial test for Fonseca’s tactics and the team’s progress.
Inter Milan has dominated the recent derbies, winning the last five encounters. This dominance has been a significant challenge for AC Milan, and they will be eager to turn the tide in the upcoming match.
Prediction:
Given the current form of both teams, this derby is expected to be a closely contested affair. Inter Milan’s recent dominance in the derby gives them a slight edge, but AC Milan’s determination to break their losing streak could make for an unpredictable and exciting match.
Written by Marc Strydom.