Opposition insight for Milan-Inter: Form, injuries, predicted XI and more
It’s the biggest game of the first half of the season on Saturday, as AC Milan face Inter in the Derby della Madonnina.
Saturday’s game could be make-or-break for Milan. Whilst it’s early to suggest that, the Rossoneri are desperate for three points to keep them in the title conversation, whilst a loss could put them 10 points behind.
After their first Serie A defeat of the season in midweek, Ruben Amorim will be keen to bounce back, and he’s not alone in that regard. Indeed, Gerry Cardinale has spoken highly of the atmosphere around Milanello today.
➤ Manager: Cristian Chivu ➤ Form (all comps): L-W-W-W-W (most recent) ➤ Top scorer (Serie A): Marcus Thuram – 5 ➤ Most assists (Serie A): Andy Diouf – 4 ➤ Injuries & suspensions: Pavard, Jones, Stones, Martinez, Henrique.
Opposition insight on Inter
In the summer, Inter oversaw a period of change, with several of the old guard departing. Davide Frattesi headed to Lazio on loan, Denzel Dumfries left to Real Madrid for €20 million, whilst Stefan de Vrij, Yann Sommer, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian all departed as free agents.
Changes would also come with the incoming mercato, though, as the Nerazzurri spent more than €100m. Djed Spence, Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Curtis Jones arrived from the Premier League, for a combined fee of €75m. Then, Aleksandar Stankovic returned from Club Brugge, with Ivan Provedel also making the switch from Lazio.
Whether those names have been an upgrade so far is difficult to tell, but it’s certainly been an introduction of a new wave of talent.
After dominating in Serie A last season, Inter have started the season in similar fashion, only dropping points to Roma so far. However, they’ve been something of comeback kings, regularly finding an escape when behind.
In fact, in their last three Serie A games, they’ve conceded the first goal – including the midweek disallowed goal against Venezia – yet they’ve always ended up with three points. The inevitability from recent seasons hasn’t disappeared.
What makes this potentially more frustrating is that they’re also struggling with injuries, but still getting results. Without Lautaro Martinez, Stones, Jones and Benjamin Pavard, a drop-off would’ve been understandable, but it hasn’t happened.
After their win in midweek, considering their schedule has also been rough, Chivu rotated slightly. So, there will be a few changes made this weekend to rotate back to their full-strength XI.
In the backline, Manuel Akanji will return to the centre of the back three, replacing Carlos Augusto. Whilst Alessandro Bastoni and Yann Bisseck will start either side of the Swiss defender. Of course, Ivan Provedel remains between the sticks.
Across the midfield, changes will be slightly more common. Federico Dimarco and Andy Diouf will remain on the flanks, whilst Piotr Zielinski retains his starting spot. Though Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu both return to the starting XI.
Marcus Thuram will be given a starting role, hoping to continue his fine form this season, but Ange-Yoan Bonny will return to the bench. Pio Esposito will take his place instead.
Predicted Inter XI (3-5-2): Provedel; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito
Predicted bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Augusto, Jakirovic, Bovio, Mkhitaryan, Lavelli, Mosconi, Spence, Bonny, Stankovic, Sucic.
