Why Defence Is the Key to Victory for Inter Milan vs. AC Milan

The Derby della Madonnina is always hailed as "crucial," and so it is once again for the two Milan giants.

In previous eras, AC Milan versus Inter may have gone a long way to deciding the destination of the Scudetto, but in 2014-15, it is more a battle for relevance.

Both clubs are down on their luck at the moment and struggling to earn a place in the top positions on the Serie A ladder.

Inter, who sit in ninth currently (two places below their city rivals), have just brought in Roberto Mancini as manager to replace Walter Mazzarri, so all eyes will be on the starting XI and the formation he decides to put out.

In particular, the defensive setup Mancini opts to go with will have a huge bearing on the game.

One constant throughout Mazzarri's time in charge was his preference for playing three central defenders at the back, along with two wing-backs who would help out in defence and move forward into attacking positions when Inter had the ball.

Mancini, on the other hand, is likely to send out a 4-3-1-2 formation, which means a complete shuffle at the back.

Dodo is a shoo-in for the left-back role, while Yuto Nagatomo is almost certain to slot in at right-back in the absence of Danilo D'Ambrosio.

While both have performed well this season, with Dodo especially getting better and better on the left flank, they will have to adapt to their new, slightly altered positions.

As part of a back four, much more will be required of two wider players than if they were playing in a 3-5-2.

Dodo will have to pick and choose his moments to get forward a little more carefully, though his attacking instincts will take some tempering.

The manager will have to decide which central defender to drop to the bench.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

Nemanja Vidic, Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus have been certain starters in Serie A when fit, but there are likely to be only two spots available in the middle of defence against Milan.

Based on form and rumours from the training ground, Mancini looks set to leave out Vidic. 

This will come as a major blow to the Serb, who moved to Italian football in the hope of prolonging his career.

He will have a hard task in winning back a starting berth from the in-form Jesus or club captain Ranocchia.

Keisuke Honda has been outstanding for Milan this season and will take some stopping. 

Fernando Torres and Stephan El Shaarawy, meanwhile, are both threatening to work themselves into form.

Inter's defence will need to be on its toes in order to dull the Japanese playmaker's influence in particular.

In midfield, Milan and Inter look fairly evenly matched in that neither side has really impressed in that area in 2014-15. 

Up front, Mauro Icardi has been finding the net recently for the Nerazzurri, so there is always a chance of a goal or two if the ball reaches dangerous areas.

The organisation and communication of Inter's defence will be key, however, in deciding which Milan side takes the honours this weekend.