AC Milan vs Internazionale: Preview & Prediction

The 224th Derby della Madonnina is here for the first time this season as AC Milan face table topping Inter at the San Siro.

Both the Milan clubs are in transition and are trying their best to close the gap to Juventus for the Serie A crown. They have new owners who are willing to spend as evident by the splurge of cash by both the clubs to overhaul their squad and make it a title challenging one.

Well acclaimed coach Antonio Conte has arrived at Internazionale amid much fanfare. The Nerazzurri have also broken their transfer record twice this season in bringing Nicolo Barella and Belgium's all-time top scorer, Romelu Lukaku. Diego Godin also arrived to add steel to the side.

Whereas the Rossoneri took a different approach as they went for not so established names. The Player of the Tournament in African Cup of Nations, Ismael Bennacer arrived from Empoli. Portuguese youngster Rafael Leao was another addition. It is also worth noting that Milan have the youngest team in the Serie A.

Inter have had an amazing start to the season with a perfect win record and thus sits top of the table. Antonio Conte has a proven plan in place and the Nerazzurri are benefitting from it.

Whereas, Milan had a blip as they lost their first match of the season away to Udinese. They have won the next two and now sits eighth in the table. Coach Marco Giampaolo  is chopping and changing the team  in search of an effective starting eleven.

Team News

For Milan, Davide Calabria is out of this fixture following his red card against Verona and will be replaced by Andrea Conti. Centre-back Mattia Caldara is a long term absentee. Apart from these, Giampaolo will have the full squad to choose from.

Whereas, for the Nerazzurri could be without wing-back Antonio Candreva as he was forced off early in their Champions League clash. Valentino Lazaro would replace him. Diego Godin started the last game and is fit to play this one. Conte can also start Chilean Alexis Sanchez in this crucial fixture.

Key Battles

Krzysztof Piatek vs Diego Godin

Piatek took the Serie A by storm as he was the third highest goal scorer in the league with 22 goals. He is a ruthless striker who possesses everything. He is good at dribbling past opponents, is a fox in the box and has a booming header.

Milan saw his potential and bought him in the January transfer window from Genoa. He continued his good form and scored some very crucial goals. The Polish international is being looked as a replacement for an ageing Robert Lewandowski and one can see why.

Godin needs no introduction as he is one of the best centre-backs of this generation. He was a beast for his previous side Atletico is known for not giving an inch to the opposition strikers.

The Uruguay international will look to curtail Piatek and his movement in and around the box. If Godin got hold of Piatek, Milan would have problems scoring a solitary goal.

Alessio Romagnoli vs Romelu Lukaku

The young Milan skipper, Romagnoli has huge boots to fill as the Rossoneri were blessed with some of the finest centre-backs the world has ever seen. After his signing in 2015, he has been one of the few bright sparks as Milan looked to reclaim their former glory. 

His reading of the game and stat of 5.3 clearances per game would come in handy if he has to stop the formidable forward line of Inter. The youngster also have a good passing range and help start counter attacks.

Romelu Lukaku didn’t have a good year at the club level. But as they say, form is temporary class is permanent. Lukaku is a fearsome central striker and has become Inter’s most expensive signing. He can thrill in Conte’s 3-5-2 setup alongside Lautaro Martinez.

Lukaku has started the season with a bang and has already bagged two goals in his three appearances. The Belgium would be a handful and more for Romagnoli and Milan. He needs to stop in his tracks or he would take the game away from Milan in a jiffy.

Prediction

The Nerazzurri looks the most equipped team to challenge Juventus for the Serie A trophy and are undefeated in their last seven matches against Milan. 

whereas, the Rossoneri are still searching for the right tactics and individuals. They also lack the creative spark and there is a dearth of goals.

Both the clubs are in transition but Internazionale looks ahead given the form and stability. We predict that Antonio Conte’s side would clinch it with a scoreline of 2-0.