Opposition insight for Milan-Inter: Form, injuries, predicted XI and more

Inter are heading into tomorrow’s Derby della Madonnina in fantastic form, looking to extend their gap on AC Milan to a decisive 13 points. 

In the last 15 league games, the Nerazzurri have only dropped points once (!) and that was the draw against Napoli. While Milan haven’t been perfect in the last few weeks, it would have been hard to catch up even if they had been.

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Speaking at his press conference, Chivu ensured that his players have learned a lot since the defeat in the reverse fixture, hence why they have done so well recently. On the other hand, a derby is a derby, so maximum concentration will still be needed.

Opposition insight on Inter

➤ Manager: Cristian Chivu
➤ Form (all comps): W-W-W-W-W (most recent)
➤ Top scorer (Serie A): Lautaro Martinez – 14
➤ Most assists (Serie A): Federico Dimarcio – 14
➤ Injuries & suspensions: Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram (?).

Many raised their eyebrows when Inter decided to replace Simone Inzaghi, the manager who had done so well in the league for so many years, with a relative rookie in Cristian Chivu. Even more so as the Romanian had only coached youth football before, apart from a 13-game stint at Parma.

In those 13 games, however, he managed to steer the Gialloblu away from the relegation zone thanks to some decent rules. Nevertheless, while there were rightfully doubts about Chivu, it has to be said that he has done a good job with the team so far.

You could definitely argue that his inexperience shouldn’t matter with that much firepower in the squad, but we have to remember that Inzaghi was a very hands-on manager. He was constantly shouting on the sidelines, making himself heard and directing his players.

Chivu has stepped up to the plate on this front, as winning 14 of the last 15 games (the other game ended in a draw) speaks for itself really. It has also made it impossible for Milan to feel any sort of momentum in the Scudetto race, only falling further behind.

Just to remind ourselves a little bit of the summer business, Inter brought in the likes of Manuel Akanja, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Andy Diouf, Luis Henrique and Petar Sucic. Pio Esposito also returned from his loan spell at Spezia, but it’s clear that the Nerazzurri aimed to perfect an already solid foundation.

Solid foundation indeed, as Alessandro Bastoni (despite his simulations), Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco and Lautaro Martinez are still performing at a very high level. With these players in form, it’s hard to compete as the opponent.

The bad news (good for Milan) is that Lautaro Martinez is sidelined with a calf injury. As the team’s top scorer and captain, as well as someone who lives for the derby, it’s obviously a huge blow. Marcus Thuram also struggled with a fever today, but based on Chivu’s words, he will likely be available anyway.

Apart from that, though, Chivu has a full squad at his disposal with no other injuries or suspensions. There is currently just one battle that the manager will have to decide for the starting XI, per the latest reports, and that is the aforementioned Calhanoglu against Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

If Thuram can’t make it, Bonny is also ready to take a starting spot.

Predicted Inter XI (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito.

Predicted bench: J. Martinez, Di Gennaro, De Vrij, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto, Sucic, Dumfries, Diouf, Calhanoglu, Darmian, Frattesi, Lavelli, Bonny.