Both Inter and AC Milan will enter the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday knowing that both their seasons are playing out against a backdrop of disappointment. In that context, the boost of derby victory would be something of a boon for both beleaguered teams.
The Rossoneri come into the game in good form, unbeaten in four games. Inter have disappointed of late, and picked up their first win in six games against Hellas Verona at the weekend.
Recent meetings between the two have failed to ignite, with no side scoring more than a single goal in the last five clashes. Inter hold the upper hand in those games, with two 1-0 victories to the Rossoneri’s one. The previous encounter this season ended 1-1, with Jeremy Menez’s first half strike being cancelled out by Joel Obi.
That narrow advantage is mirrored in the overall match results; Sunday’s match will be the 162nd Serie A meeting, with the Nerazzurri holding a 68 to 61 lead over their rivals.
Both Mauro Icardi and Jeremy Menez go into the match with 16 goals to their names so far this season, and with both likely to begin in a central role for their respective sides, will be looking to add to that tally.
The Rossoneri’s best assistant, Ignacio Abate, left the game with Sampdoria early, but should be available for Sunday’s match. However, Inter’s Fredy Guarin, also on six assists, will be suspended.
Guarin will join Marcelo Brozovic on the touchline as both see out a one match ban. They will not be Roberto Mancini’s only absentees, with Dodo and Hugo Campagnaro unlikely to feature through injury and Davide Santon facing a race against time for fitness. Zdravko Kuzmanovic is available for selection again, though Mancini did not use him in the win at Verona.
Filippo Inzaghi’s injury list now includes Mattia Destro, who was taken off in Monday’s game with Sampdoria and looks set to miss out, along with longer term absentees Stephan El Shaarawy, Riccardo Montolivo and Michael Essien. Influential midfielder Keisuke Honda could well feature after a couple of games out, but may start on the bench.
Form Guide: Inter (W-D-L-D-D-L), Milan (D-W-W-W-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Inter: Handanovic; Santon, Ranocchia, Vidic, Juan Jesus; Hernanes, Medel, Obi; Shaqiri; Icardi, Palacio.
Milan: Diego Lopez; Abate, Mexes, Paletta, Antonelli; Poli, De Jong, Van Ginkel; Cerci, Menez, Suso.
