Simone Inzaghi’s side have lost one league game all season and have dropped just two points across their last ten Serie A matches so they take formidable form into this historic derby which was first played back in 1909.
Inter
Table-topping Inter Milan host the 230th edition of the ‘Derby della Madonnina’ four points ahead of city rivals AC Milan and with a game in hand over their nearest challengers Napoli and Milan. All of which puts them in good shape as they look to secure back-to-back Serie A titles for the first time since 2009/10. Simone Inzaghi’s side have lost one league game all season and have dropped just two points across their last ten Serie A matches so they take formidable form into this historic derby which was first played back in 1909. ‘I Nerazzurri’ are pulling clear in the all-time H2H stakes too after losing just one of the last nine competitive meetings.
Although the San Siro won’t offer the usual home advantage, it’s worth noting that Inter have scored in every home league game this term and netted in November’s reverse fixture here (1-1). Both teams have complained about the state of the pitch and although it’s been partially re-laid over the winter break, the worst remaining areas have simply been painted green!
AC Milan
Milan might be relieved that at least something has been done as their last three league defeats all came at this venue – albeit as the home side. Perhaps approaching this derby as they would a ‘normal’ away day could help as they’ve netted an average of 2.45 goals per Serie A road game this term as part of an impressive road record. Scoring in five of the last six H2Hs in which they were the away side also suggests ‘I Rossoneri’ will pose a threat, even if Zlatan Ibrahimović, the oldest scorer in the history of this fixture, is unavailable due to injury.
Alexis Sanchez has scored in two of Inter’s last four fixtures, both of which were games that his side won after extra-time. Also on the mark in an extra-time win in January was Rafael Leao, who has scored twice across Milan’s last three matches. The away side on the day hasn’t trailed at half-time in any of the last eight Serie A H2Hs.