When AC Milan meet Inter at the San Siro this weekend, the derby will be one of the most important in the last 20 years. Both Milanese teams are competing for the Scudetto at this late point in the season; the last time that happened was in 1993, when Ruud Gullit equalised late on against the Nerazzurri, who had taken the lead through a header from Nicola Berti.
The derby could have been less crucial if only Milan had maintained the advantage they held until two weeks ago. On 6th March, the Rossoneri won in Turin against Juventus and found themselves holding a five-point lead over Inter and an eight-point lead over Napoli. But then the unpredictable happened.
A week later, Inter led at Brescia thanks to Samuel Eto’o, despite wasting a whole host of chances, then, a few minutes from full time, Brescia equalised through Andrea Caracciolo, who also went on to miss a penalty in injury time that would have meant Inter did not even escape with a draw.
On the Sunday, Milan had the chance to extend their lead at home to Bari, the side rock bottom of Serie A, but what ensued was one of the worst Rossoneri performances of the entire season and, after succumbing to a goal from Hungarian Gergely Rudolf, grabbed a vital leveller through Antonio Cassano. However, perhaps the bitterest blow came after Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off (ruling him out of the derby against Inter), eventually receiving a two-match ban.
Just before the international break, Milan – without Ibrahimovic – lost in Palermo, while Inter won at home against Lecce. These twists and turns mean but one thing though – when the two meet there will be just two points between them.
We look at the key battles which will decide the Milan derby:
Alexandre Pato vs Andrea Ranocchia
Since making his debut for Milan in 2008 against Napoli, firing home a spectacular goal, "Il Papero" has not become the world-class player the Rossoneri hoped for. Despite possessing superb technique, Pato has not hit the heights in crucial matches, both in Serie A and the Champions League. Without Ibrahimovic, Pato’s role is even more important against Inter, with the Rossoneri faithful placing their hopes in the Brazilian’s feet.
The Brazilian will come up against a defender recruited by Inter in January, Andrea Ranocchia, bought from Genoa. The 22-year-old has impressed during his brief time with the Nerazzurri and reminds observers of Alessandro Nesta due to his calm manner and classy play. Against Milan, Ranocchia should find himself alongside Christian Chivu in the centre of the Nerazzurri defence as Lucio is suspended. If Ranocchia has the ability to limit Pato’s impact on the game, then he will be crucial for Leonardo’s side.
Gennaro Gattuso vs Wesley Sneijder
Tough-tackling Gattuso has been reborn under the management of Massimiliano Allegri after struggling to find a spot in the team when Leonardo was in the Rossoneri dugout. Last year it appeared Gattuso had lost some of his aggressiveness and the style of play he had shown throughout his career was lacking. Yet this season the old Gattuso has returned, and with obvious benefits for Milan.
Gattuso’s task here will be a difficult one – to control and limit the impact of Dutchman Wesley Sneijder. Last season Sneijder destroyed Milan’s defensive lines in both derby games, but this time around the Inter man has struggled to show the same quality. However, there have been signs of life for the former Real Madrid man as his fitness has returned and with it his concentration for the duration of games. Sneijder will be charged with supplying both Samuel Eto’o and Giampaolo Pazzini up front.
Mathieu Flamini vs Maicon
If Milan play with Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf and Mathieu Flamini in midfield, the Frenchman will have to operate on the left, and this should hand him the task of facing up to the threat posed by Inter’s Maicon. While Luca Antonini will be targeted by the Brazilian, Flamini will have to help his team-mate out. The midfielder has to limit his natural aggression, which can often see yellow and even red cards flashed his way. Used to working in a four-man midfield under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal before he arrived in Milan, Flamini has struggled at times with the ground the Rossoneri have asked him to cover.
Maicon meanwhile is a huge threat, with his speed able to do real damage – and quickly. Last season the Brazilian was a big part of Inter’s Treble success and also found the back of the net in the Nerazzurri’s 4-0 derby win at the end of August. Maicon is quicker than Antonini, and Flamini’s role will be important to double up and limit the speedster’s raids. The Inter man could be caught out coming forward and Robinho especially can get at his countryman.
Kevin Prince Boateng vs Esteban Cambiasso
The Ghana star has been a pleasant surprise for Milan this season. Allegri initially had plans to play Boateng in midfield but, early in the season, the coach opted to try the youngster in the trequartista role, and Boateng has worked up front with Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Allegri believes in the Ghanaian, stating he thinks he has the ability to change games.
Lining up against Boateng will be Thiago Motta and Esteban Cambiasso, with the latter the key man in Inter’s attempts to control the Ghanaian. Cambiasso has vast experience and has always performed whenever the Nerazzurri have been at their best. The Argentine can also make a difference in attack with his inventive set pieces that can worry the opposition as nervy matches drag on.
A midfield line of Motta, Cambiasso and the Serbian Dejan Stankovic will have to be on form if Leonardo is to be handed his first Milan derby victory on Inter’s bench.
