The Rossoneri and the Nerazzurri have always enjoyed a healthy rivalry. Whether it be on the football field or in the transfer market, the Milan clubs have always tried to outclass one another.
In recent years the two sides have completed some intriguing exchanges, such as Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano going in separate directions, while AC Milan themselves have recruited former Nerazzurri players into their ranks, including Mario Balotelli and Sulley Muntari.
Now however, the two clubs are fighting for a place at the top of the Serie A table, with the January transfer market reflecting a big difference in each team’s approach to the rest of the season.
Although neither side walked into the transfer window with a fortune to spend, it would appear the Nerazzurri had the edge over their rivals in terms of their spending power. The acquisition of Xherdan Shaqiri, in particular, was something of a coup from Inter, with the Nerazzurri paying in the region of €15 million.
AC Milan did not spend a great deal of money on any player, but do have a buyout clause set in a similar region to Shaqiri’s price for Roma striker Mattia Destro.
There is no questioning the fact both sides welcomed big name players. The Rossoneri completed the exchange of Fernando Torres for Alessio Cerci on loan, while Inter recruited Lukas Podolski from Arsenal on a temporary basis.
In terms of quality, very little separates the players from those of their rivals. Podolski and Destro have proven to be deadly finishers, while Shaqiri and Cerci have demonstrated their prowess in wide positions.
With little separating the sides with regard to their top signings, it rests with the players brought in to bolster the ranks. Of the six players AC Milan picked up in January, at least three could fall into this category.
The signing of Suso from Liverpool is seen as a long-term addition and appears to tick all the boxes, but the addition of three defenders in five days points to a degree of desperation from AC Milan. Although they do address a key area of weakness in the starting lineup, none of the players could be described as definitive solutions.
Inter on the other hand made two additional moves in the window, both of which could be viewed as squad reinforcement. Former Nerazzurri youth player Davide Santon and midfielder Marcelo Brozovic arrived on loan deals, adding a touch of depth to Roberto Mancini’s team.
Santon was brought back to the San Siro following injuries to a number of defensive options, while Brozovic was seen as a worthy addition to the midfield unit. Thus far the pair have done well, highlighting a good awareness of what the team needed in particular areas of the pitch.
Overall, both sides handled their limited resources well and reinforced admirably. Despite the panic demonstrated by AC Milan toward the end of the window, signing both Gabriel Paletta and Suso to permanent contracts for next to nothing is still quite impressive.
However, it doesn’t escape from the fact the Rossoneri were forced into buying due to squad deficiencies. Inter made one of the signings of the window with Shaqiri, proving Serie A can still coax top players to Italian shores.
In the month of February so far, AC Milan have won one game, lost one and drawn once, as they continued to display inconsistency on the field.
Inter have only played the two Serie A games since the window closed, but won both matches comprehensively with the Nerazzurri scoring eight goals in total.
It would be dismissive to say that one club was better off then the other at this stage, as both still have their fair share of problems.
Performances from either club have been poor at various points in the season, with Filippo Inzaghi clinging to his job for dear life while Roberto Mancini replaced the disgraced Walter Mazzarri.
Both teams have been trying to ride the Financial Fair Play storm in recent years, and despite AC Milan making the early start, Inter appear to have emerged unscathed.
Buoyed by the ownership of Erick Thohir, the Nerazzurri are beginning to reestablish themselves as Scudetto contenders. Their recent signings point to positive times ahead in the blue and black half of Milan.
As for the Rossoneri, the situation is bleaker then ever before with huge issues in the club’s management. Their is hope for fresh investment and potential stadium plans, but their January signings fall far short of their very high expectations.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
