On Sunday, a new chapter of the Derby della Madonnina will commence once again as Milan clash with hated city rivals Inter at the San Siro for round 22 of Serie A play.
It’s been an interesting season for each of the Milanese clubs. For the rossoneri, they’ve found it difficult to maintain consistency, not just within the league but also in the Italian Cup. One week, Siniša Mihajlović and his men could take the pitch and really show us all something special. The next, we find them battling to the final whistle in order to collect a single point against a relegation-tested side like Hellas Verona.
With the nerazzurri, things have not been going smoothly. After a red hot start to the 2015-16 Serie A season in which they controlled sole possession of first for the majority of the first half, they have tailed off dramatically. Most of their wins earlier on came from a narrow margin, but it has caught up to them in recent weeks. Now, they are no longer at the top. In fact, they are falling quickly and if they aren’t careful, it can mean no European competition for next season.
Milan: DWLDW
Siniša Mihajlovic’s side fell to Inter earlier on in the season 1-0 thanks to a goal from the recently sold midfielder Fredy Guarin. Surely Milan want revenge on their bitter rivals and in their favor, they catch them at the perfect time. Inter have been reeling for weeks now and can’t seem to find that same magic from earlier on this season which saw a stout defense shutout the opposition on the regular, paired with the timely goals that seemed to always turn the outcome in their favor.
For this match, it will be much of the same dependance on the usual standout performers: Giacomo Bonaventura and Carlos Bacca.
Both will be tasked in carrying Milan to victory, much like they’ve done all year when they have won. The Italian winger, who nearly chose the blue and black two summers ago, has been dynamite for the rossoneri scoring 5 goals to pair with a more impressive 9 assists. He’s been prone to finding the back of the net or providing for a teammate when the club is in dire straits. As for Bacca, Milan finally has a solid striker who can consistently bury the few chances he’s given. The ex-Sevilla hitman has scored 10 goals already and is among the league’s best when it comes to goal scoring conversion rates. But for Milan, they will need something to come from the midfield. Whether it be the surprisingly impressive Juraj Kucka, Riccardo Montolivo or Andrea Bertolacci, it’s understood that in order for Milan to get the result they so crave, it’s going to take something special from the middlemen.
Projected Starting XI (4-4-2): Donnarumma; Abate, Zapata, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Honda, Montolivo, Bertolacci, Bonaventura; Bacca, Niang
Inter: WLWLD
For Inter, this match could decide their fate for the Scudetto chase. As it stands, Mancini’s group sits comfortably six points ahead of Roma for 4th, but recent trends show they are more inclined to dip deeper beneath the top three rather than climb into it. However, despite their prolonged skid, they are tied on 41 points with Fiorentina for the coveted third spot in the league table, while also being just six points from Napoli for the top slot. Because both Napoli and Juventus are rolling through anyone in their way, this derby has major implications for Inter as they hope to keep pace with their league rivals.
Inter relied heavily on the centre-half tandem of Joao Miranda and Jeison Murillo for the majority of the season. Both defenders formed one of the top pairings in Europe, but have recently struggled to maintain dominance. Murillo has been clumsy of late, getting sent off with two yellows against Juventus in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.
In addition, Samir Handanovic has not been able to keep the opponents off the scoresheet, which could also be attributed to the sporadic play in the back of Mancini’s setup. Regardless, the Slovenian keeper remains key for Inter if they want to complete the two-match sweep of their hated neighbor on Sunday. Handanovic and company do have to be weary of Mario Balotelli who did pose a threat in very little time off the bench in the first meeting this year. It’s unlikely he starts but Mihajlović understands that Balotelli is a difference maker and he can sway the result in favor of the rossonero in an instant.
Projected Starting XI (4-3-3): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo, Telles; Brozovic, Medel, Kondogbia; Perisic, Icardi, Ljajic
Bold Prediction:
This match has all the makings of another classic Derby della Madonnina. Inter are stumbling but know what’s at stake on Sunday. This result could make or break their title hopes. For Milan, a sixth place finish can be vastly improved upon with a huge victory against a well-rounded – and deep – Inter side. Whichever midfield shows up to play will ultimately decide this match.
Despite their far from predictable play, the nod goes in favor of the Rossoneri in this one. 1-0 in a narrow, but extremely exciting, bout.
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