Hassan Chamas


What: Italian Serie A
Who: Internazionale (1st; 46 points) vs AC Milan (2nd; 40 points)
When: Sunday 24th January, 2009, at 20:45 CET
Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy

Final Hurdle

The Giuseppe Meazza theatre is all but set for the 273rd Derby della Madonnina, as Lombardi poles Internazionale and AC Milan will lock horns on Sunday evening to battle for supremacy of the city of Milan and most of all, a precious three points of immense value in the title race for this year’s Scudetto.

Ever since matchday one, Inter have not been wasting any chances to guarantee a fifth consecutive league title. Particularly, Jose Mourinho’s team made a statement of intent in this corresponding fixture last August when they demolished Milan 4-0. Ever since, the Nerazzurri have been in superlative form that has seen them top the table.

Even with Inter enduring the common jolt every now and then – the 2-1 loss to Juventus being one of them – the Italian champions have nonetheless looked steady, if not impressive. With a massive 11 points between them and third-placed AS Roma, the general feeling in Italy is that the title will be as good as theirs should Javier Zanetti and co claim the honours against Milan.


True Test

Milan have turned their season around and been applauded for doing so, enjoying a massive improvement in fortunes from their early campaign wobbles. With an ever-ageing squad and the loss of Kaka to Real Madrid not attended to, Milan started their season in abysmal form, and many were quick to conclude that their campaign was as good as over.

However, the Rossoneri’s fortunes changed for the better following a 2-1 win over Roma earlier this term, as Leonardo’s team gradually kept climbing the chart, until finally resting in the runners-up spot seven fixtures ago. With six points separating them from the Beneamata, and a postponed game in hand against Fiorentina, a win could spark the beginning of a struggle between the Milanese duo for total supremacy.

With Ronaldinho, David Beckham, Marco Boriello, Andrea Pirlo, Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta all embarking on a joyful and successful ride, it would be hard for the events of the last Milan derby to be repeated. More so, Alexandre Pato’s potential return from injury could spell even more trouble for this edition’s hosts.  

 

 

Recent form

Internazionale:
Chievo 0-1 Inter (Serie A)
Inter 4-3 Siena (Serie A)
Bari 2-2 Inter (Serie A)

AC Milan:
Juventus 0-3 Milan (Serie A)
Milan 2-1 Novara (Coppa Italia)
Milan 4-0 Siena (Serie A)


Key absences

Internazionale: Christian Chivu; Marco Materazzi; Thiago Motta (doubt); Rene Krhin (doubt); Dejan Stankovic (doubt); Samuel Eto’o (African Cup of Nations)

AC Milan: Gianluca Zambrotta; Alessandro Nesta (doubt); Alexandre Pato (doubt)


Players to watch

Internazionale – Maicon: The marauding full-back has been in disappointing form lately on the right. Against compatriot Ronaldinho, the former AS Monaco man will have to pull out all the cards from his sleeve should he want to stop Milan’s dynamo.

AC Milan – Ronaldinho: With his recent performances for his club, “Dinho” is one of the leading figures for the Serie A Player of the Year accolade. Maybe not back to his electrifying best – he probably never will be – Ronaldinho has nevertheless been at the heart of Milan’s resurgence. Should he exhibit some of his magic, expect sparks to fly.

Match prediction

Commentators across the boot-shaped country have trimmed the title race this year to the Milan derby this Sunday. Both clubs have been on a good run recently, and neither appears to be strong enough to knock the other down. A 2-2 draw seems a likely outcome.

 

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