Inter Milan–AC Milan: Pride, Prestige, and Points at Stake

It feels like it was ages ago since the outcome of a "Derby della Madonnina" between Inter Milan and AC Milan actually meant anything more than pride and prestige. This time around, however, there are three extremely important points at stake–making the encounter more fierce and unpredictable than it has been in recent years.

Inter has been the indisputable dominant force in Serie A for the past couple of seasons and the trend looked likely to continue this season as well. However, halfway into the season, none of other than city rivals Milan–with rookie coach Leonardo at the helm–has shot up the table and is now posing a genuine threat to the league leader’s title aspirations.

A victory in the derby for the Rossoneri would put them within touching distance with Inter, as only three points would separate them from the top with one game in hand.

A lot is at stake as the two powerhouses go head to head in a mouthwatering clash that could very well open up the title race come Sunday evening.

Inter Milan

After getting off to a somewhat shaky start against Bari on the opening day of the season, Inter quickly turned it around. Despite having no less than five new arrivals squeezed into the starting lineup in the derby against Milan on the second day, the Nerazzurri emerged victorious with a 4-0 hammering of their biggest rivals.

Since then, there have been very few bumps along the way. At one point in the season José Mourinho’s men as per usual looked head and shoulders over the rest of the chasing pack.

Although the game wasn’t always as fluent or dazzling as the Portuguese mastermind would’ve liked it to be, the team still collected the points necessary in order to keep extending their lead. Players such as Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder proved to be extremely valuable assets, as the duo in particular has played an integral part of the team during the first half of the campaign.

However, Inter’s rampage has slowed down somewhat after the winter break, thus allowing the teams behind them to edge closer. The last three games may have resulted in two victories and a draw, but it has only been down to their mental strength and a good bit of luck to spare them from blushes. However, the Nerazzurri should be given credit having gone 31 games without a defeat at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

“It’s Inter-Milan, the derby, and that means it is a separate game from everything else where it doesn’t matter who is the favourite or playing better. It is a match without logic. It won’t be decisive, though, as it is still too early into the campaign. In any case, I want the victory. I do not fear anyone or anything. I do my work and that is all,” José Mourinho said. 

Probable starting XI according to the Gazzetta (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Muntari; Sneijder; Pandev, Milito

AC Milan

Milan got off to a disastrous start to the season where everything from the club to the newly arrived rookie coach was questioned. However, the club decided to stay behind their coach in a gamble that would soon come to pay dividends.

As Leonardo switched from his preferred 4-3-1-2 system to a more suitable 4-3-3 considering the players at his disposal, things radically started to change. The Rossoneri have displayed amazing form over the past couple of months and haven’t lost a game since September with the exception for Palermo right before the winter break.

The harmonious squad boasts of incredible unity, as well as outstanding support, to the Brazilian tactician. On top of that, the players are simply taking more responsibility on the pitch. Among those who have been the protagonists behind Milan’s recent revival, names such as Alessandro Nesta, Ronaldinho, and Marco Borriello are brought to mind.

During the past week Ronaldinho spoke of his ambitions of lifting "The Double" at the end of the season. Having scored nine goals and made eight assists so far, a victory on Sunday evening would be a major step in edging closer to making his dreams a reality.

“I don’t think it will be decisive, as there is a long way to the end of the season and we can’t make realistic calculations until we play that game with Fiorentina. It’s still very important for a thousand different reasons. It is the kind of game that leaves a mark, both good and bad. I cannot think of what the result might be tomorrow. I have never started a match with anything less than victory in mind,” Leonardo said. 

Probable starting XI according to the Gazzetta (4-3-3): Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Beckham, Borriello, Ronaldinho