It is showpiece weekend in Italy for the 226th official Milan Derby, as Inter and AC Milan put their unbeaten start to Serie A on the line.
Inter won the last meeting in February in an emphatic 4-2 comeback but current form suggests a different outcome.
Milan have been early pace-setters in 2020/21 as they have won all three games without conceding a goal, continuing their impressive post-lockdown form which is the best in Italy. Inter are widely expected to lead the chasing pack for Juventus’ crown having lost by a single point last season, however, their rejuvenated neighbours will be making a case to move ahead of the pile in the Derby.
The Rossoneri’s loss in February was early into Stefano Pioli’s reign and showed a lot of fight in the awakening Giants as their early lead was canceled out disappointingly by a second-half fightback. Antonio Conte’s men will be wary of their ‘visitors’ hunt for morale-boosting revenge.
Zlatan Ibrahimović is back after Covid-19’s unfortunate encounter with the charismatic Swede. Although attacking partner Ante Rebić is still out, Zlatan has Rafael Leão, Samu Castillejo, and Brahim Díaz pushing to join him in the attack.
Unfortunately, Inter will be without Radja Nainggolan, Andrei Radu, Milan Škriniar, Ashley Young, Roberto Gagliardini, and Alessandro Bastoni to Coronavirus; giving Conte a selection headache to withstand their vibrant neighbours. Milan have averaged 2.72 goals per game post-lockdown and the Rossoneri are filled with self-belief now, scoring at least twice against Roma, Lazio, Napoli, and Juventus in that period.
The Nerazzurri will count on their maturity and pragmatism in this encounter, knowing Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez (three goals each) are fit alongside the supply line of Alexis Sánchez and Achraf Hakimi
There is a keen battle on the flank as Milan’s Player of The Year, Theo Hernández, comes up directly against Inter’s €40million right wing-back, Achraf Hakimi, in a tantalizing battle of Real Madrid’s rejected fullbacks.
This matchup alone is worth the admission fee to any football game, were fans allowed into the stadium.
On Saturday evening, it just might decide the destination of the points at San Siro.
