THE LAST week of Serie A before the winter break plays host one of the greatest derby in league football.
The Derby della Madonnina between Inter and Milan. Since both clubs play at the same stadium, it creates an atmosphere unlike any other. Milan and Inter go into the derby in 13th and 5th place, respectively. Milan have clearly been struggling, while Inter have been up and down the entire season so far. Believe it or not, Milan will be heading into the match off the back of a 5 match unbeaten streak, albeit a draw-filled one.
With both clubs needing a win from the derby, expect it to be a very exciting 90 minutes. There will be goals. There will be cards. And there will be magic from one of the sides.
Video: All of Kaka’s goals against Inter
Inter-Milan: The Rossoneri squad
For Milan, a victory over their city rivals will boost spirits and hope that a comeback ala last season is possible. However, a loss will only serve to tighten the noose around Allegri’s neck, and will really dishearten the Rossoneri players. However, a draw may well be the end result, as both clubs have not made a habit of killing off matches.
Inter will be looking to expose Milan’s weakness in defending set pieces, and could very well score a goal off a corner or free kick. They will also be riling up Balotelli, but that should be no different than most other Milan matches. But the flip side is that Inter’s defense has not been much better this season, and Milan’s attacking combo of Balotelli and Kaka will look to expose any defensive frailties.
The Squads
Goalkeepers: Handanovic, Carrizo, Castellazzi;
Defenders: Jonathan, Zanetti, Juan, Andreolli, Campagnaro, Wallace, Ranocchia, Samuel, Pereira, Rolando, Nagatomo;
Midfielders: Kovacic, Guarin, Mudingayi, Kuzmanovic, Cambiasso, Taider;
Forwards: Belfodil, Palacio, Icardi.
Goalkeepers: Abbiati, Coppola, Gabriel;
Defenders: Bonera, Constant, De Sciglio, Mexes, Zaccardo, Zapata;
Midfielders: Cristante, Emanuelson, De Jong, Kakà , Muntari, Nocerino, Poli, Saponara;
Forwards: Balotelli, Matri, Pazzini.
Suspensions and Injuries
Inter have significantly less members missing from their squad. Cristian Chivu, Diego Milito, McDonald Mariga, and Walter Samuel are all injured, while Ricky Alvarez is suspended.
Milan will have to do without Marco Amelia, Valter Birsa, Stephan El Shaarawy, Robinho, and MatÃas Silvestre, who are all injured and will not take part. Abate and Emanuelson are doubtful, but are both included in the squad. Captain Riccardo Montolivo will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation after his yellow against Roma last week. M’Baye Niang was not included in the squad all together, most likely so as not to inure him before his proposed loan move to Montpellier.
Where: Stadio Guissepe Meaza (San Siro).
When: 14:45 pm Eastern US, 18:45 pm GMT, 20:45 pm CET.
Predicted line-ups
Inter: Handanovic; Jesus, Ranocchia, Campagnaro; Nagatomo, Kovacic, Cambiasso, Taider, Jonothan; Guarin, Palacio.
Milan: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Bonera, Zapata, Constant; Poli, De Jong, Muntari; Kaka; Matri, Balotelli. (via WhoScored.com)
Prediction: 2-2
What do you think about the derby? Comment or tweet me @Daniel_gutman
You predicted it as a draw which is kind of likely with Allegri but I want a win Forza Milan!!!!!!
I want a win too but a draw is the most likely scenario imo
milan is in 10th in the standing not 13th. please fix the mistake. im not sure what will happen to milan without montolivo, hoping they atleast get a draw
http://www.livescore.com/soccer/italy/serie-a/
13th place
Allegri will make us play crap for the first 80min only to make us rally back for the remaining 10min to pick a useless point. Predictable
To SB & Galiani : Hello guys.. As acmilan wmust know history of acmilan, specialy the coach, u know no one can be succes coaching acmilan from non italy nationality, for example:oscar tabarez, fatih terim, zacheroni,ect.if want acmilan to succes must have coach itali nationality (bcuse know how good defend like catenatio),have DNA acmilan champion legend, smart, experiance. Logacaly,if we want go trought to final CL 2016 in Sansiro (we home host),no wasting time to choose non experiance coaching, non DNA, ect. The coaching acmilan have to TASSOTI because he have criteria, 10 years experiance as assistance coach anceloti and… Read more »
1-3 milan will win tonight… Forza Milan !!!
lets hope. Matri hat trick anyone? 😉
Guys i just wonder why cristante and niang will be loaned? aren’t they good enough?u know, niang, all people said he is the new thierry henry and cristante is the best 18 yo youngster. so why we should loan them if we have very good player as we had pato in 2008??they could be our key player!! is this allegri’s fault?or they are not good enough? but to be honest, for me they are not pato! looked at pato in his 18 yo, he was a beast!!for me he was the real wonderkid, even el sharaawy wasn’t at that level,… Read more »
well inter are rubbish so we’ll get a draw. i predit them to take the lead, then milan to equalize in the dying mins with pazzini/matri finishing off a rebound from one of those ridiculous muntari 38yards shots. 1-1.
gotta love muntari’s screamers
I usually try to get my friends to watch Italian football but it won’t be this game. Both teams playing terribly with possibly the two most defensive-minded coaches in Europe who are petrified of youth. It’s going to be brutal.
ATTENTION: ANY MILANISTA WITH THE ABILITY AND RESOURCE TO GET THIS TO THE MILAN MANAGEMENT SHOULD PLS DO SO FOR THE SAKE OF OUR DEAR CLUB!!! #ForzaMIlan This Has been Milan’s Basic recipe since God Know’s when. I’ve seen the Immense advantage in this tactic over the years since 2002.. When Milan Played with sheva and crespo upfront,with Kaka behind them and a midfield trio of seedorf, pirlo,Gattuso and a backline of Maldini, stam, Nesta, and Cafu. This was Ancelotti’s mystery formula. And Milan has stuck to it,Despite the change in coaches and the loss of Quality players Till the… Read more »
yes for temporary but next year we must change!! all of the player you mention isn’t as the level as 2005 milan except balotelli, kaka, MDS, rami, el 92. replace monto with koke or verratti, gabriel with ter stegen/marchetti/krul, abate with tipical dani alves/maicon RB. nainggolan and honda is good but i don’t think they are champions, but who knows i am wrong. and 4-3-1-2 is too predictable under allegri and very rigid, i don’t know if seedorf is the coach, allegri must depend on 1 player and the formation work well(against small team). ideal formation nowdays is 4-2-3-1, look… Read more »
by looking at d predicted line-ups inter will over run d midfield n all Kaka will b doing is defending. Cristante must start!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Am disappointed dat Max has not been suspended after dat misbehaviour vs Roma. Now am less confident. Inter hav the upper hand.
13th before and 13 after.
I don’t believe any team has ever come back from 17 points back (difference between Milan and Napoli in 3rd) but I’d welcome an example if anybody has one.
So the question becomes: how does the Berlusconi regime blow up this team during the year without CL action?