AC Milan - Inter Milan: City Rivals Lock Horns in Derby

The Derby della Madonnina takes place this Sunday at the San Siro. Inter Milan has managed to push big brothers AC Milan off their high chair as last season saw Inter Milan cruise their way to their second consecutive Scudetto—leaving AC Milan in a humiliating fifth place.

The Nerazzuri start the season under a new manager, the always charismatic, Jose Mourinho got off to a somewhat slow start, whereas the Rossoneri's was downright disastrous.

Both teams now seem to be on a winning streak as they rustle up for their first big game of the season.

AC MILAN

Milan started the season in the worst possible way, with back-to-back defeats against Bologna and Genoa—where Brazilian ace Kaká confessed complacency as being the reason behind the poor start.

Milan looks as though they’re back in business since their UEFA Cup opener against Zürich FC—much of which is down to the return of Marco Borriello with his enormous will and who has fought for every ball and managed to pave a new route for the midfielders.

Ancelotti’s men bagged their second consecutive league win in their midweek encounter with Reggina, where Milan "wonderkid" Pato scored his third goal in as many games.

The win was costly though as Borriello had to go off with a thigh injury—extending the injury list to which Nesta, Inzaghi, Pirlo, and Viudez already have their names to.

Ronaldinho, who stood for a bright debut in the Milan shirt has been dropped in the last two games by the Milan tactician, and has struggled to make a real impression at the San Siro.

Ancelotti has, in spite of the Rossoneris injury plagued troop, been able to maintain some consistency ahead of Sunday night’s important derby, and will only make three changes in his starting eleven after the Reggina game.

Seeing as Borriello is unable to play on Sunday, his place will most likely be filled by Shevchenko—the Inter "slayers" first start in the Milan shirt since his return—pairing up with Pato.

Ambrosini and Maldini are back—pushing both Flamini and Bonera to the bench.

Milan (probable): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Favalli; Ambrosini, Gattuso, Seedorf,  Kaka;  Pato, Shevchenko.

INTER

City rivals Inter, under the watch of the self-proclaimed "Special One" has settled in well in his managerial post in spite of some voices suggesting that Ibrahimovic and Mourinho’s big personalities would clash—the twosome however cannot stop praising each other enough.

The Nerazzuri quickly returned to their winning ways after their unstable start and one Ibrahimovic has absolutely dazzled so far into the season.

The Nerazzuri had to struggle against a well-organized Lecce in their midweek encounter, but Mourinho’s men still managed a close win (with three forwards and two attacking wingers) as Cruz scored a late winner—steering Inter clear atop the table.

Portuguese boll-wizard, Quaresma, tended to look somewhat lost during parts of the Torino game last week and played unnecessarily difficult with every received ball, as to why the latest addition started on the bench the in the midweek game.

Considering that this is Mourinho’s first Serie A derby he will not make the same mistake his predecessor did in the corresponding fixture last season, by underestimating Milan.

The tactician rested some of his player in the midweek game, but is fielding the same starting line-up as last week’s Torino game with the exception of Cordoba, who is replacing Burdisso in the defense.

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Materazzi, Chivu; Vieira, Cambiasso, Zanetti; Mancini, Ibrahimovic, Adriano.