AC Milan v Inter Milan
This weekend’s fixtures blesses us with another one of the world’s best football derbies. Both Milan clubs have had mini-revolutions with a mass exodus of legendary and prominent players from the San Siro.
Inter Milan have gradually begun disbanding the team of their 2010 Champions League triumph under young coach Andrea Stramaccioni and there is plenty of optimism around the club for the first time since former boss Jose Mourinho left for Real Madrid two years ago.
On the contrary, AC Milan supporters are not happy with the clubs decisions. After selling their prized assets in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain. Vice-President Adriano Galliani has been severely criticised for only signing cheap alternatives, which lead to forward Antonio Cassano jump ships across the city to Inter because of the management’s unpopular attitude.
AC Milan are off to one of their worst starts to a season since 1940 and occupy 11th spot on the table. They have managed just two wins from their opening six matches, drawing one and losing three. They were unconvincing once again last weekend, playing out a 1-1 draw at Parma to heap more pressure on under-fire coach Massimiliano Allegri. Stephan El Shaarawy’s fourth goal in three games was cancelled out by Daniele Galloppa as Milan failed to build on their midweek win over Cagliari at San Siro. The young Italian striker may be only 19, but has impressed scoring with his four goals in six games, giving the club the much needed reassurance that there is some future potential. Although results have not gone their way, it is not for lack of chances for Milan. The club have made 87 attempts on goal in only five games. They have also dominated possession and controlled their matches. Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Nocerino and Stephan El Shaarawy are three of the players who are considered to be the future of the club and their promise this season has already been seen, it’s a matter of putting all the pieces together in the coming games.
Inter lie third in the Serie A standings having won four of their opening six matches. They seem to be improving each week under coach Andrea Stramaccioni. The 2011-12 season went in turmoil as the club was embroiled in one of their worst form and losing streaks in their long history. The permanent appointment of Andrea Stramaccioni was welcomed with mixed feelings, and after having high profile managers such as Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho, fielding an unknown in the form of Stramaccioni was seen with a few sceptical eyes. Their sixth match day tie last weekend saw them line up against the promising Fiorentina outfit at home, and the San Siro outfit put in a resilient performance which saw them secure their first win at the ‘Meazza’. Antonio Cassano has been important for his new club scoring four goals while making vital assists and will want nothing more than to sink another whole in AC Milan’s ship.
Both sides haven’t performed at their best at the San Siro with both only winning one match and losing two. Inter have looked better going forward but Milan have been no slouches defensively and this is tipped to end in a stalemate.
