Sunday belongs to the Milanese. On the other hand, given the patronal feast of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan and Inter they could only take the stage. However, they will have to “share” it with Genoa and Udinese, adversaries far from resigned to act as sacrificial victims.
On paper, it is above all the Rossoneri who are at great risk. to 15 in fact they will face off against Gasperini's Ligurians, a team that currently occupies that much-desired third place around Milanello. The ranking of the rossoblu is by no means accidental: with 8 consecutive useful results (apart from the Italian Cup) they fully deserve the position they hold. “They are strong, they even beat Juve – admitted Inzaghi at the press conference. – They'll attack us from the start but we're ready, we've prepared the game well. I'm serene because it's hard to be stronger than this Milan."
Strong words from the Rossoneri coach, evidently confident in view of the rush that awaits him between now and Christmas. After Genoa there will be Naples and Rome, not exactly an easy end of the year in short but which, numbers in hand, could also launch the team into the noble areas of the standings. “To get to third place we need to do something fantastic – Inzaghi's analysis. – Fighting against teams like Napoli will be tough but, with these premises, we can do it".
Superpippo seems to have finally found the crux of the matter. After having changed 13 formations in as many games, today he will send on the field a Milan equal 9/11 to the one who beat Udinese last Sunday. The only exceptions are De Jong and Montolivo, finally recovered and ready to start in place of Van Ginkel and the suspended Essien.
For the rest, as mentioned above, confirmed training with Diego Lopez in goal, Bonera, Rami, Mexes and Armero in defence, Bonaventura completing the midfield, Honda, Menez and El Shaarawy in attack. Gasperini will respond with the usual 3-4-3 in which, however, the suspended Burdisso will be missing (De Maio in his place). The bogeyman is called Matri, an ex with a poisoned tooth ready to take revenge.
to 20.45 then it will be the turn of Inter, stage a San Siro against Udinese. The calendar has chosen a not bad crossroads of feelings for this match: on the one hand, Mancini's home debut (the derby, technically, was away), on the other, Stramaccioni's return as an ex. But no one will be able to get caught up in sentimentality. Inter must absolutely regain the victory that has been missing for over a month (1-0 over Sampdoria on 29 October), the same goes for the guests, who have fallen dangerously down in the standings after an excellent start.
“I think it will be a good match – the thought of Mancini at the press conference. – Let's start again from the game played in Rome, trying however to limit defensive mistakes. Let's see how we grow, then we'll think about the transfer market”. Clear words from the coach from Jesi, who is already thinking about how to rebuild the Nerazzurri building. “Three important matches await us (the others will be against Chievo and Lazio, ed), let's stick with third place as much as possible and see what happens – continued Mancini. – However, I have a clear contract, I haven't come here for six months otherwise I would have gone to the beach. I'm here to build a winning team."
The Inter fans hope that the project will start as early as this evening. Mancini will restart from the 4-3-3 with Handanovic in goal, Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus and Dodò in defence, Guarin, Medel and Kuzmanovic in midfield, Palacio, Icardi and Kovacic in attack. Thus the "cases" (if they can be defined as such) related to the Croatian and the Argentine are extinguished in the bud: both on the bench in Rome, both owners tonight. Stramaccioni will respond with a 4-3-2-1 in which Di Natale will have the task of punching holes in the Nerazzurri defence.
