San Siro lights up, Milan ignites with passion! Everything is ready for the derby della Madonnina number 278, 211 in official matches, 179 in the championship. Significant numbers for a game that pits the two souls of Milan against each other, Allegri's Milan on one side, Stramaccioni's Inter on the other.
Historically the derby escapes predictions, but this time trying to decipher it is even more difficult than usual. Logic would indicate Inter as the favorite team: they have 5 points more in the standings, they have a richer squad of champions, they come from three consecutive victories. However, Milan too can play their cards: lately things have gone a little better, the new formation works and they will play at home. In short, making a prediction is practically impossible, for us as for the protagonists of the challenge, who have been teasing each other on the subject for days now. “Given the classification, they are the favorites – Allegri said yesterday in the press conference. – They have five points more than us, they are more experienced and tested. But there isn't a favorite in the derby: it's an important match for both teams”. Of the same opinion also Stramaccioni, who a few days ago had indicated in Milan the favorite of the derby: “That was just a joke. It's difficult to consider one of the two teams as favourites, we are only on the seventh day and both formations have changed a lot this year. It's the classic triple game on the ticket, it's beyond prediction”.
It is therefore difficult to hypothesize the script of the match, also because there are still no certainties about the actors who will interpret it. The doubts mainly concern Milan: the Rossoneri should play with the 4-2-3-1 in St. Petersburg, but Allegri hasn't ruled out surprises. “The only thing I can say is that in training we also tried the three-man defense – said Allegri. – During the game there are opportunities to play differently. In any case, I will evaluate after the last training session”. Sensational innovation or shrewd pre-tactic? Stramaccioni opts for the second answer: “Did you talk about a three-way defence? Then don't play with it...". While waiting for the two technicians to discover the cards, let's focus on the certainties. Antonio Cassano will be the most observed man of the match, an inevitable consequence of his stormy crossing of the Naviglio, which was followed by controversies and declarations of fire. “You knew how many things I would have to say – joked (but not too much) Allegri. – Beyond everything, Antonio is a champion, there are few in the world who pass the ball like him. We will have to be very careful with his plays." Even Inter, however, will have something to worry about. Stephan El Shaarawy is in dazzling form and if AC Milan are smiling again it is mainly due to him. Stramaccioni knows it well, but his concern is another: "The only regret is that I had one day less than them to prepare for the game." But as we said, Inter have more certainties: the 3-4-1-2 all muscle and imagination worked well and will be proposed again. Cassano against El Shaarawy, Milito against Bojan, Stramaccioni against Allegri, these are just some of the reasons to watch the derby. San Siro has already turned on the lights, now it's their turn.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Milan (4-2-3-1): Have you; Abate, Bonera, Yepes, De Sciglio; De Jong, Montolivo; Emanuelson, Boateng, El Shaarawy; Boyan.
On the bench: Amelia, Zapata, Antonini, Mexes, Acerbi, Nocerino, Constant, Flamini, Ambrosini, Pazzini, Robinho, Niang.
Trainer: Massimiliano Allegri.
Unavailable: Strasser, Didac Vila, Muntari, Mesbah, Pato.
Disqualified: nobody.
Inter Milan (3-4-1-2): Handanovic; Ranocchia, Samuel, Juan Jesus; Zanetti, Gargano, Cambiasso, Nagatomo; Coutinho; Cassano, Milito.
On the bench: Castellazzi, Belec, Silvestre, Jonathan, Bianchetti, Duncan, Pereira, Guarin, Mudingayi, Obi, Alvarez, Livaja.
Trainer: Andrea Stramaccioni.
Unavailable: Palacio, Stankovic, Mariga, Mbaye, Sneijder, Chivu.
Disqualified: nobody.
Referee: Paolo Valeri (Rome).
Line Assistants: Batons – Maggiani.
Port Assistants: Rizzoli – Guide.
Fourth official: yellowish.
