The two Serie A powerhouses lock horns in what is expected to be a thrilling encounter at the San Siro.
Eternal rivals Inter and AC Milan will battle it out at the Giuseppe Meazza this Sunday in a quest for three potentially vital points as well as domestic prestige.
Roberto Mancini’s men have taken maximum points from each of their opening two Serie A matches this season, albeit in rather fortunate circumstances, downing Atalanta and Carpi 1-0 and 2-1 respectively.
Siniša Mihajlovic’s side, on the other hand, lost out to Fiorentina 2-0 in the opening round and narrowly overcame a depleted and modest Empoli side last time out in a 2-1 victory.
With the two sides drawing blanks in a dull 0-0 stalemate last time they met in the league, a much more entertaining affair is expected this time around, with both sides having undergone a heavy recruitment process in the offseason.
Key Battle – Samir Handanovic vs Diego Lopéz
With more firepower added to both sides in the form of Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, and Mario Balotelli for AC Milan, as well as Stevan Jovetic, Ivan Perišic and Adem Ljajic for Inter, the two goalkeepers – much like both of last season’s encounters – are expected to come to the fore in this match and could either aid or hinder their side.
Both experienced custodians between the sticks, the pair had stellar seasons last time out in what was a drab campaign for both Milanese sides. On Sunday, the affair may be tight and cagey, though both goalkeepers are expected to be earning their money’s worth in the upcoming Derby della Madonnina.
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Team News
New Inter arrivals Perišic, Alex Telles, Felipe Melo, and Ljajic are all in contention to start on Sunday against Milan, though influential centre-back João Miranda will not take any part in the match, having gone down with injury on international duty.
As well as this, the coming weekend’s match could see Mancini revert back to a formation involving traditional wingers due to the aforementioned late signings on Italy’s transfer deadline day. Perišic and Jovetic may be the ones tasked with providing width. With mercurial front-man Mauro Icardi expected to be match fit for this one, Jovetic may move to left wing.
Mihajlovic’s side is also expected to see several changes as he attempts to find the correct pieces to the puzzle for the Rossoneri. Twenty-four-year-old midfielder Andrea Bertolacci is another who will not feature this weekend due to injury sustained whilst on international duty for his country, meaning new arrival Juraj Kucka may be in line to make his first start for his new club. Luca Antonelli may also miss this clash.
Expected Lineups
Expected Inter XI (4-3-3): Handanovic; Santon, Murillo, Juan, Telles; Guarín, Medel, Kondogbia; Perišic, Icardi, Jovetic
Expected Milan XI (4-3-1-2): Lopéz; Abate, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Bonaventura, De Jong, Kucka; Honda; Adriano, Bacca
Head-To-Head
The two sides have met 214 times in an official match, with the Nerazzurri holding the slightest of advantages over their bitter rivals, having won on 76 occasions, two more than the Rossoneri. The Derby della Madonnina has also seen 64 draws.
Previous Meeting
The previous encounter between the two sides saw a dull 0-0 draw where it appeared both teams were too afraid to lose. Having said that, it was a game for the goalkeepers as both Handanovic and Lopéz pulled off some outstanding stops to keep their respective opponents at bay.
The game itself presented a hurdle that Mancini’s side needed to overcome in their quest to return to the Europa League, though offered very little to then-manager Filippo Inzaghi’s charges, who were languishing in mid-table at that stage (where they would end the season). Upon the campaign’s expiry, it turned out to be a crucial two points lost for Inter Milan.
Prediction
Inter look to be in much better shape so far this season than their fierce rivals, who are currently experiencing a much more intense and challenging period of transition than the Nerazzurri. It could be a cagey affair but Mancini’s men may be the ones who prevail in this eagerly anticipated match.
Inter Milan 2 AC Milan 1
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