European club football returns this weekend after international break and in the Italian Serie A, the drama returns with the Derby di Milano as Inter Milan hosts AC Milan.
While it’s fair to say the two Milan city rivals have so far started the season well, showing strong signs of having their gaze on the Serie A title, coronavirus has not been fair to the Milanese clubs.
The pandemic has limited Antonio Conte’s starting line-up selection for the highly anticipated derby. Inter will face their rivals without full-back Ashley Young, goalkeeper Ionut Radu, midfielders Radja Nainggolan and Roberto Gagliardini, and centre-backs Milan Skriniar and Alessandro Bastoni who have all tested positive for coronavirus. Midfielder Matias Vecino is also out with an injury, while Stefano Sensi is still on suspension. However, the presence of front pair Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez is expected to inspire the team.
Milan are also without Matteo Gabbia and Leo Duarte who are coronavirus positive while Ante Rebic is yet to recover from his dislocated elbow and Mateo Musacchio is also still out. But they have ‘King’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the oldest player in Serie A history to reach double figures of goals within six months. He will be looking to use his former club to inspire Milan to a fourth straight league win.
Stefano Pioli’s Milan side, with a three-match winning streak since the new season started, go into the Derby with maximum points. Inter Milan, on the other hand, with a long list of players in quarantine, two wins and a draw from their first three Serie A matches, go into the game as fans and pundits’ favourites.
In 34 previous encounters between the two Milanese clubs, Inter have won 18, lost 10 and drawn six. In their last encounter, a few months ago, Inter beat Milan 4-2.
Pundits say Inter, that have dominated the Derby di Milano in recent times, are likely going to edge past the resurgent Milan in the highly anticipated derby but by a very narrow margin.
The Derby di Milano is one of the fierce football matches in Italy with a huge bearing on the Serie A title race. And we know you won’t like to miss a moment of the action. Watch all the exciting games this season Live on SuperSport On DStv and GOtv.