AC Milan will face off against Inter Milan in the highly anticipated Derby della Madonnina on Sunday night at San Siro. This match holds significant weight for the Rossoneri, who find themselves trailing their city rivals by ten points in the Serie A standings. A victory is crucial for Milan to remain in contention for the Scudetto.
Match Preview and Context
AC Milan recently had an unexpected setback, with a 1-0 loss to Parma ending their 24-match unbeaten run in Serie A. However, last weekend, they managed to bounce back by defeating Cremonese, avoiding a plunge further behind in the standings. With only one win from their last four home games, Milan is seeking momentum as they strive for a derby double for the first time since 2011.
Inter Milan’s Dominance
Inter Milan, on the other hand, has been in superb form, remaining unbeaten in the league since losing to AC Milan in November. They have secured eight consecutive league victories, demonstrating their scoring prowess. Inter leads in goals scored and has excelled at set pieces, including a league-high tally of 21 set-piece goals.
Team News
Injuries present challenges for both teams. AC Milan will be without midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek due to a facial injury and center-back Matteo Gabbia due to a hernia. Despite minor setbacks, Milan’s coach, Max Allegri, may retain key players like Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao in the starting lineup.
Inter also faces notable absences, including their captain Lautaro Martinez, who is sidelined with a calf injury. Cristian Chivu must decide between players like Francesco Pio Esposito and Marcus Thuram to lead the attack.
Possible Starting Lineups
| AC Milan | Inter Milan |
|---|---|
| Maignan | Sommer |
| Tomori | Bisseck |
| Pavlovic | Akanji |
| Saelemaekers | Bastoni |
| Fofana | Henrique |
| Rabiot | Barella |
| Bartesaghi | Calhanoglu |
| Pulisic | Zielinski |
| Leao | Dimarco |
Predictions
The stakes are high for both teams, with AC Milan hoping to close the gap in the standings and Inter aiming to further solidify their dominance in Serie A. Predictions suggest a fiercely contested match, with Inter tipped to secure a narrow victory. This match is not just about local pride; it could potentially seal the Scudetto for the Nerazzurri.
