The Derby della Madonnina is coming up next for AC Milan, and after the success in the fixture last season, the question is whether Massimiliano Allegri will be able to continue the run.
The 2024-25 season was tough in many ways, from the eighth-place finish to the defeat against Bologna in the Coppa Italia final. That said, along with the Supercoppa Italiana trophy, the derby record was a positive for the Rossoneri: three wins and two draws.
Paulo Fonseca certainly managed to get the best out of Simone Inzaghi in the first derby of the season, and Sergio Conceicao then continued that with the success in the Supercoppa Italiana and the Coppa Italia. In other words, two ‘underdogs’ managed to beat the unbeatable derby manager.
Milan had lost six derbies on the trot prior to Matteo Gabbia’s winner in September last year, and now the script has (almost) flipped: six games without a loss for the Rossoneri, even if they haven’t all ended in wins.
Allegri looking to extend big-game run
The big question, with the above in mind, is whether Allegri will be able to build on Milan’s positive run in the big fixture. So far, he has done well against the main rivals, beating both Napoli and Roma at San Siro. It’s more so the ‘smaller’ teams that he has struggled against.
With Inter being the designated home side, they are still the favourites according to most, but their switch to Christian Chivu means Milan certainly have the upper hand in terms of coaching experience. In such a big game, that can make a big difference.
It’s not just the recent results that have shifted in Milan’s favour, in other words, but also the ‘aura’ on the bench, if we can call it that. That makes the upcoming derby extra interesting, even if you could argue that a derby is about coincidences and individual brilliance.
Indeed, it’s easy to look at the recent results and the managerial changes, but we also have to consider the player material. Here, most would agree that Inter still come out on top. The best starting elevens are probably even, but depth-wise, the Nerazzurri are ahead.
Point being, while the circumstances are very different compared to the first derby of last season, it could still go either way. As Milan fans, we obviously have a better feeling after the recent success against Inter, but so much has changed compared to last season that it likely won’t matter much.
I can’t wait to see how Allegri counteracts Inter. hopefully defend deep and counter straight down the middle and with pace.
Will we see another FofanaBall? Hopefully not.
Fofana-Modric-Rabiot is the midfield that took Milan to the top of the league. Ricci came in for the injured Rabiot…and results were mixed. Allegri will likely stick with his winning combo.
fofana and rabiot work really well.
Agreed, but up till Rabiot got hurt. Not sure if Fofana can replicate that form, given his performances in the past month.
I might be willing to give RLC a chance instead.
Hopefully Rabiot is ready to play by then…Ricci is nowhere near as dominant, and Milan’s midfield has been missing Rabiot”s all round great play.
Before you guys start your needless comparisons. Rocco is more of a Modric or Pirlo not Rabiot or Fofana. It’s Jashari that you can use for that comparison.
Those with Rocco, Modric and Pirlo’s characteristics are usually not so strong but highly technical.
I think that’s the point. Some are suggesting that Ricci should play instead of Fofana. But as you say, and I agree 100%, Ricci does not play the role that Fofana does. In fact one of the reasons why Fofana is playing every match is that RLC and Jashari don’t play that role either. It’s not about being good or bad, it’s about player chemistry. And Rabiot’s injury disrupted that chemistry and Ricci clearly does not bring what Rabiot does.
*Ricci*