Derby della Madonnina

Hlebagone wrote:I like how you posted both Milan and Inter's results in the head to head.

Fade out wrote:First real test for Alvarez after his adaptation period, I'd believe!

The Derby della Madonnina is wide open, as both clubs are on exceptional form and Inter can sensationally get back into the Scudetto race.

This is always perhaps the biggest fixture in the Italian calendar and it could not have come at a better time for football fans, no matter who they support.

Milan are unbeaten in 12, including 10 victories, in which they have scored 32 goals and conceded just eight. They are the joint Serie A leaders alongside unbeaten Juventus and the reigning title holders.

On the other hand, Inter have won their last five on the bounce, something they had not achieved since Jose Mourinho’s time in May 2010. A disastrous start under Gian Piero Gasperini and Claudio Ranieri’s early problems suggested qualifying for Europe could be a struggle, let alone going for the Scudetto, but the tide has turned. A win would put the Nerazzurri within five points of their city rivals and burst the race wide open at not even the halfway stage of the competition.

Wesley Sneijder, Dejan Stankovic and Diego Forlan all hope to be fit enough for at least a spot on the bench on Sunday night. Sulley Ali Muntari is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, but was not expected to feature anyway. Diego Milito finally rediscovered his scoring touch by netting three in the last two games, while Ricky Alvarez is finding his feet on the left side of midfield.

Milan wish they had a full squad to choose from, but Massimiliano Allegri is without Mario Yepes, Mathieu Flamini and Antonio Cassano, while Alberto Aquilani, Luca Antonini and Taye Taiwo require fitness tests. There is also the possibility Gennaro Gattuso could make his comeback after four months on the treatment table with an eye condition, though he probably won’t be risked in such a pressure cooker encounter.

Alexandre Pato is expected to start from the bench after turning down a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, a decision that wrecked Milan’s bid for Carlos Tevez.

Keep an eye on: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Milan) – The Swede has scored seven goals in his last six outings for the Rossoneri. His partners in attack may change, but Ibra remains the key to Milan’s title push and he will relish taking on his former club. After all, he has netted in two of the last three derbies.

Form Guide: Milan (W D W W W) Inter (W W W W W)

Last season: Milan 3-0 Inter

Stat fact: In all competition, Milan have won the last three consecutive derbies, including a 2-1 victory in Beijing for the Italian Super Cup on August 6. Inter’s last success over their cousins was 2-0 on January 24, 2010. These sides haven’t shared the spoils since a goalless draw in October 2004, followed by nine Rossoneri wins and seven for the Nerazzurri.

Milan (probable): Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Nocerino, Van Bommel, Seedorf; Boateng; Ibrahimovic, Robinho

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Thiago Motta, Cambiasso, Alvarez; Milito, Pazzini

Inter squad:
Julio Cesar, Castellazzi, Orlandoni;
Zanetti, Lucio, Maicon, Ranocchia, Samuel, Chivu, Faraoni, Nagatomo;
Thiago Motta, Sneijder, Alvarez, Poli, Cambiasso, Obi, Coutinho;
Pazzini, Forlan, Milito, Zarate, Castaignos

King Pipita wrote:Congrats Inter

Robinho's finishing

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:Congrats Inter fans. Zanetti was amazing, and you guys obviously wanted it more since it was the only hope to stay in the race.

worms wrote:What a legend Zanetti is,can't believe I missed it.

Great player.People go on about Ryan Giggs but Zanetti is a few months older and has played a lot more minutes than Giggs the last few years.Plus everybody knows Giggs is a scumbag now,I can't imagine Zanetti doing what Giggs did in his personal life.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:
Boateng, Ibrahimovic, Nocerino, Abate and Zambrotta were atrocious.

bluenine wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:
Boateng, Ibrahimovic, Nocerino, Abate and Zambrotta were atrocious.

One player we haven't thanked enough - Samuel had Ibra in his pocket the whole game. The wall has been the main man behind our resurgence in the last month or two. We have stopped shipping goals mainly due to his masterclass.

We are so going to miss him when he retires. Ranocchia is talented, but he is not half the defender Samuel is.

Must also credit all 4 CB's playing yesterday. Thiago was brilliant, easily the best Milan player IMO. Nesta & Lucio did well too. 4 legendary defenders, its sad that 3 of them are going to retire soon... Football won't be the same when they are gone, they don't make defenders like these anymore.