Rivalries are renewed on Sunday night as Milan host Inter in Serie A.
The Rossoneri have somewhat struggled for confidence so far this season, with a cup semi-final appearance being the only sight of silverware. Meanwhile, their league position of 6th is somewhat flattering given the sub-standard performances seen on many occasions in this campaign.
Inter however had established themselves as Scudetto contenders early in the season; winning games and conceding few goals with the defensive combination of Jeison Murillo and Joao Miranda.
This shows in the league table as the Nerazzurro sit fourth with 41 points from 21 games and a goal difference of 12.
That said, Inter have won just one of their last five competitive fixtures; that being a 2-0 win away at Napoli in the Coppa Italia. Their Serie A form has suffered with failures to beat Sassuolo, Atalanta, Carpi and Juventus.
New signing Eder is expected to debut up front for the ‘visitors’ alongside last season’s Capocannoniere joint winner Mauro Icardi.
The red half of Milan has won just one of the previous nine derbies in a spell stretching back to January of 2012; a record that Sinisa Mihajlovic will be keen to overturn against the team he played for.
Over 185 top flight matches, Inter have the edge with 69 wins to 61 of Milan. A 1-1 result is the most frequent, and there has been 55 draws between the clubs.
Mario Balotelli is expected to start on the bench as is long-term absentee Jeremy Menez, while Rodrigo Ely, Diego Lopez, Philippe Mexes and Nigel de Jong (on the verge of an MLS move) are not expected to feature.
The battle for the Madonnina atop the Duomo continues on Sunday, and the excitement points towards a wonderful festivity.
