A month later, everything changed. Milan and Inter (at 18.30) meet exactly 30 days after the original date, when the derby was not played due to the sad passing of Davide Astori. A short period in life but not in football: back then the Rossoneri were very fast and ready to overtake, but now the Nerazzurri seem to be better off and live the derby from an 8-point advantage over their hated cousins.
The month in question therefore relaunched Inter, who returned to convince and, above all, to win, however this does not mean that Milan's performance has dropped, on the contrary: the defeat against Juve, paradoxically, has knocked down morale but not spirit, which came out almost strengthened after the good performance shown at the Stadium.
Compliments, however, count much less than the standings: that says that the Rossoneri have only 50 points and that winning the derby is, in fact, the last chance to go back to dreaming of a place in the Champions League.
“Finally a city town that weighs – Gattuso exclaimed – We know very well that we can't go wrong, after all it has been like this for several weeks. Inter have changed in the last few weeks, they scored 10 goals and conceded 0, they will certainly be a difficult opponent to face. But we have to prepare it well, if we use our weapons and the right competitive fury we can put them in difficulty".
Rino believes it, after all it couldn't be otherwise. His Milan, despite the defeat against Juve, has a respectable points average and has shown that they are on an equal footing with everyone. However, the last few games have put Inter on display more, returning to have the performance that, until December, had even taken them to the top of the table.
The black period, paradoxically, ended right after the "skipped derby": since then, 7 points have arrived in 3 games with Napoli, Sampdoria and Verona, 10 goals scored and 0 conceded. A very important roster coincided, guess what, with the return of Icardi (6 goals in the last 2) and Perisic's newfound form: with them at the top, it's a completely different story and in fact the Champions League area is safe again, so much that today even a draw could be enough.
"The lads were good at getting back in such a condition that the derby isn't decisive - confirmed Spalletti - This match, however, continues to be worth a lot, the opportunity to bring home the maximum is a tempting one even if Milan are strong. They are doing well but we have important potential and we are convinced of our qualities".
It goes without saying that both technicians will field the best possible formations, obviously net of forced absences. Gattuso must give up the suspended Biglia, for the rest he will be able to rely on the 4-3-3 type with Donnarumma in goal, Calabria, Bonucci, Romagnoli and Rodriguez in defense, Kessié, Montolivo and Bonaventura in midfield, Suso, Cutrone (favorite over Kalinic) and Calhanoglu in attack.
No defection instead for Spalletti who will be able to confirm the 4-2-3-1 already seen with Sampdoria and Verona, therefore Handanovic between the posts, Cancelo, Miranda, Skriniar and D'Ambrosio in the back department, Gagliardini and Brozovic in the midfield, Candreva, Rafinha and Perisic behind the lone striker Icardi.
San Siro sold out despite the unusual opening hours (18.30pm on a weekday is not exactly the best for working people), demonstrating how the city feels this derby. Which is not worth championships or finals but a place in the next Champions League: not cheap these days…
However, the derby will also be played off the field, in terms of the fight against child poverty. It is the Qu.Bì project, promoted by the Cariplo Foundation and Intesa Sanpaolo, in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan in support of the over 20.000 minors who live in poverty in Milan. A three-year commitment worth 25 million euros which will be told on the occasion of the derby by two exceptional testimonials: Daniele Massaro and Francesco Toldo.
