Lying in 12th place on the Serie A ladder after two games, fans of the Rossonerri must be wondering how their team will fare against arch rivals Inter Milan ahead of tonight’s derby at the San Siro.
With a few new signings brought in over the summer, a squad overhaul is well and truly underway under new coach Sinisa Mihalovic. With new faces Alessio Romagnoli, Juraj Kucka, Andrea Bertolacci, Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano all finding their feet along with returning forward Mario Ballotelli, the club will be looking to improve on their disastrous 10th place finish last season.
For the second consecutive year Milan failed to qualify for Europe in 2014-15 and will be looking to make a statement against their neighbours when the two sides meet. It remains to be seen how the team will line up in the derby, with Ballotelli’s return to the club offering some much-needed competition up front for Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano.
The comeback of the fiery striker could be the key factor in this weekend’s derby, with the 29-year-old a proven goal scorer in Serie A and a second chance at the club he so adores will mean Ballotelli has a point to prove. His form was disastrous for Liverpool in the Premier League and the chance to help his beloved Milan reach the European heights they are known for, while earning a place back in the Italian national team will see Ballotelli do everything he can to bring back the form that terrorized opposition defences.
While Milan labored to a 2-1 win at home against Empoli before the international break after their opening day 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina, Sinisa Mihalovic’s men will need to be improved if they are to get anything from their match against Roberto Mancini’s Inter, who took all three points away to Carpi in their last game.
In their 2-1 win, Milan managed 10 shots all game – 11 less than their away opponents, while also succumbing to 49% share of the possession. The means to dominate football games is something their new coach will need to work on.
Inter’s Stevan Jovetic will be one to watch, with the former Manchester City man already recording three goals in two games. He will be looking to continue his goal scoring form and propel his side up the Serie A ladder.
While the Rossoneri have strengthened, patience is needed by fans of the club during this time of rebuilding. Anything can happen in a local derby game of football and with experienced players like Diego Lopez, Nigel de Jong, Carlos Bacca and Ballotelli, it would be silly to rule Milan out of this one just yet. Sinisa Mihalovic has proved himself in the Italy’s top leage, guiding Sampdoria to seventh place and a Europa League spot and the Serbian will be eager to make a name for himself at one of the biggest clubs in football in his first season in charge.
Expect Milan to come out with all guns-blazing in the derby and Inter to do the same. With both sides eager to start the season off strongly, this match-up promises to be a tense and hugely fixture.
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