The latest chapter of the famous Derby della Madonnina’s storied rivalry takes center stage this Sunday as Inter and Milan go head-to-head at Giuseppe Meazza. It’s a match that could solidify the designated hosts’ effort to defend the Scudetto but also determine the future of under-fire Rossoneri boss Paulo Fonseca.
While this derby has all the makings of a blockbuster, it catches two teams in different spirits. Inter got their Champions League campaign off to a promising start on Wednesday, sharing the spoils with perennial Premier League champions Manchester City in a spirited 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
On the domestic front, the reigning Serie A holders have yet to lose this season (W2, D2). However, they needed Denzel Dumfries’ late heroics to avoid defeat at Monza last weekend, drawing 1-1 in a mini-Lombard derby at the Stadio Brianteo. It wasn’t a performance worthy of the title-aspiring side, yet it helped Inter protect their unbeaten league start.
In contrast to Inter’s slip-up last weekend, Milan finally got off the mark under Fonseca, netting four unanswered goals inside the opening half an hour to trounce newly-promoted Venezia 4-0. However, the optimism was short-lived as Liverpool tore San Siro apart on Tuesday, recovering from a goal down to win their curtain-raising Champions League fixture 3-1.
Liverpool’s dominant showing in Milan’s backyard left Fonseca’s team in tatters, making a derby win imperative for the former Roma manager with his job now on the line.
Match Preview
Inter
Despite drawing both league outings on the road this season, Inter have been in an unforgiving mood at Giuseppe Meazza. Simone Inzaghi’s men have won both Serie A games on this ground by multi-goal margins and without reply, including a 4-0 rout of last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta.
Given the recent history of this fixture, it’s hard to put it past Inter to make it three from three. The Nerazzurri emerged victorious from both top-flight duels against Milan last term en route to their landmark 20th Scudetto. As a result, their impressive winning run against their arch-rivals now stands at six matches.
A seventh would extend an already-longest winning streak in this long-standing rivalry. With Inter not losing a home league game since Sassuolo’s stunning win here in September 2023, it’s only natural to assume their confidence will be at an all-time high come Sunday evening.
Lautaro Martinez’s barren run at the start of the new campaign might be Inzaghi’s only concern. His captain has yet to score in 2024/25, but his partner, Marcus Thuram, has been remarkable against Milan. He was on the scoresheet in both league derbies last season.
Milan
Milan will be out to salvage some pride amidst a disastrous run against Inter, whereas Italian media already speculates about Fonseca’s replacement. Maurizio Sarri is waiting with bated breath as the out-of-sorts Rossoneri seek only their second win in five Serie A matches under the Portuguese tactician (W1, D2, L1).
Fonseca’s job is in danger, but his personal record against Inter only compounds the matter. Winless after four managerial encounters against the Nerazzurri (D3, L1), he looks destined for dismissal unless his team can find a way to contend with Inter’s traditionally quick-fire derby entries.
Perhaps unfathomably, Milan have conceded before halftime in the last eight Derby della Madonnina editions, flagging their notoriously porous backline as a potential weak link. Fonseca’s defensive set-up has shown countless flaws thus far, with the 19-time Italian champions conceding multiple goals in four of their five competitive games this term.
With Rafael Leao still blowing hot and cold and Alvaro Morata yet to find his feet, more slips at the back could lead to another underwhelming derby result for Milan.
Team News
Tajon Buchanan remains the only definite absentee in the Inter camp. Austrian veteran Marko Arnautovic is at risk due to illness, but Inzaghi won’t lose much sleep over his potential absence amid Mehdi Taremi’s brilliant start in the Nerazzurri shirt.
On the other hand, Milan will be without Alessandro Florenzi, Malick Thiaw, Ismael Bennacer, and Marco Sportiello. First-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan picked up an injury against Liverpool, but he should retain his position between the sticks, nonetheless
Inter vs Milan Potential Line-ups
Inter (3-5-2): Yann Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Federico Dimarco, Piotr Zielinski, Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, Denzel Dumfries; Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez.
Milan (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlovic, Theo Hernandez; Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Youssouf Fofana; Christian Pulisic, Tijjani Reijnders, Rafael Leao; Alvaro Morata.
Inter vs Milan Prediction
Games like this can never be taken for granted, regardless of each team’s form, yet Inter seem in far better shape than Milan. With his back against the wall, Fonseca cannot afford another mistake. Unfortunately for him, the champions will likely reaffirm their credentials at the expense of his job.
Prediction: Inter to Win
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |