The Milan derby is one of those fascinating fixtures in football where ultimately only the end result matters, but the build-up is often dominated by the fascinating sub-plots to the game.
Calciomercato.com reports how the two numbers 10s will again do battle at the best gladiatorial theatre in world football as Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter will face Brahim Diaz of Milan. Three months ago before the first derby, the site launched a survey on who was the best of the pair, and the Spaniard won with 85% of the vote against 15% for the Turkish international.
That match marked a turning point for Calhanoglu, who scored a penalty for the Nerazzurri, which would be the first of a run of 5 goals in 6 league games for a total haul of 6 goals and 8 assists from 19 appearances in this Serie A season.
Brahim has the same number of games played but he has 3 goals and 3 assists in the league. He has lost his starting position in Pioli’s team, because he is now expected to field Kessié as the playmaker, showing just how much their stocks have gone in opposite directions.
The Real Madrid loanee will have to come off the bench and try affect the game while it is in progress, looking for a first goal since September 25 that could just catapult his confidence.
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