The first round on the field was won by Inter, the one on the transfer market was taken by Milan. While waiting for the real derby, the nerazzurri and rossoneri gave away two tasty aperitifs. In the unprecedented setting of the Brianteo in Monza, under the eyes of Thohir, Cerrone's Primavera side got the better of Inzaghi's, thanks to the 3-1 achieved in extra time which is worth the quarterfinals of the Italian Cup. However, Milan can "console themselves" with the market: Galliani in fact overtook Inter in the race for Nainggolan. It's not done yet for the Belgian, but the AC Milan advantage (offered 5 million plus the co-ownership of Cristante, Cellino wants 8) is no small thing.
But the highlight is yet to come. This evening (20.45 pm) San Siro will host the derby number 280 in history, for a match not for the faint of heart. Both teams need to win, albeit for different reasons. Inter must take advantage of Napoli's misstep, Milan start climbing the standings as soon as possible. A success would lead to a peaceful Christmas, a defeat instead would send the long-awaited panettone sideways.
“Attention yes, tension no – explained Mazzarri in the press conference. – The derby is a particular match, as a coach I try to think about it as little as possible until entering the pitch. Only then will I perceive what a derby is in Milan”. No debut anxiety instead for Allegri, in his eighth derby (to the six in the championship we must add the "Chinese" one of the Italian Super Cup). This isn't the most important, but it's certainly very delicate because a defeat would bring the Rossoneri within 12 of their rivals.
“All the classic derby ingredients are there – he declared in front of microphones and notebooks. – We will have to concede little and work as a team, our performance will have to be almost perfect. In fact, if we play like against Roma, we will hardly get a result, because we have made too many defensive mistakes". Despite the stormy past and the territorial rivalry (Allegri is from Livorno, Mazzarri from San Vincenzo), the coaches gave us a vigil under the banner of fair play.
“I respect him professionally – said the Nerazzurri. – Milan also have great technical values with Balotelli and Kakà, maybe they'll force us to lower ourselves and we'll have to be good at taking advantage of the counterattack”.
“Mazzarri's strength is the organization of the game – retorted the Rossoneri. – He's doing a great job at Inter, just like in Naples. It's a tough game, they will be angry after the defeat at San Paolo and we will have to be concentrated”.
Tactically, the match promises to be balanced, with Milan directing the dance and Inter ready to put him on the counterattack. In fact, the latest news sees Mazzarri more inclined to throw the blanket back than in front: in the midfield Taider is the favorite over Kovacic. The Croatian could enter during the game, unless WM decides to deploy him behind Palacio, with Guarin who would thus move up to midfield. The other big Nerazzurri doubt concerns the defence. Campagnaro, Rolando, Juan Jesus and Ranocchia play the three jerseys, with the Italian underdog. Otherwise usual 3-5-1-1, with Zanetti inside right, Jonathan and Nagatomo on the wings, Palacio up front.
Only one doubt however for Allegri, the one relating to the left-back. Emanuelson and Constant are fighting for places, with the Dutchman only returning to the group on Friday following the injury suffered with Roma. Montolivo's absence will force the Rossoneri coach to field a very physical midfielder (Poli-De Jong-Muntari), however in the face of a high-level attack: Kakà and Balotelli will in fact play behind Matri.
Pressed by current events (market and Thohir for Mazzarri, Seedorf for Allegri), both coaches preferred to hide behind a nice "no comment". After all, they have to be understood: tonight is the Milan derby. In short, everything else takes a back seat, at least for one night.
