4 vs 2
Played
May 6, 2012 7:45 PM WAT
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — Milano
Referee:‬ N. Rizzoli‎
Attendance:‬ 43000‎
 

Inter - AC Milan Preview: Rossoneri's Scudetto hopes hinge on Derby della Madonnina

A slip-up from the champions could hand the Serie A title to Juventus while the Nerazzurri's chances of qualifying for the Champions League also remain in the balance

By Adam Scime

More On :  Inter, Milan, Inter vs Milan
Diego Milito - Inter (Getty Images)
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINE-UPS

INTER

Julio Cesar
Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo
Guarin, Cambiasso, Zanetti
Sneijder, Alvarez
Milito
AC MILAN
Abbiati
Abate, Nesta, Mexes, Bonera
Nocerino, Van Bommel, Muntari
Boateng
Cassano, Ibrahimovic

Inter will look to maintain their chances of reaching third place by rebounding from the midweek loss to Parma and have been boosted by the return of captain Javier Zanetti. The 38-year-old has missed the last three matches with a leg injury, but is set to return for the all-important Derby della Madonnina.

However, the Argentine's comeback coincides with the loss of Dejan Stankovic, who will require surgery to repair an achilles tendon issue and will miss the rest of the season. Energetic Colombian midfiedler Fredy Guarin is expected to take the Serbian's place in the starting XI. Defender Cristian Chivu and striker Luc Castaignos remain absent due to injury.

The biggest dilemma for coach Andrea Stramaccioni awaits in the attacking third, where Mauro Zarate and Ricky Alvarez are in contention to join Wesley Sneijder and Diego Milito in the line-up.

For AC Milan, hope of defender Thiago Silva being ready to feature have reportedly been dashed, so veteran Alessandro Nesta is expected to partner Philippe Mexes at centre-back. Right-back Ignazio Abate and midfielder Mark van Bommel should return after being rested against Atalanta.

Meanwhile, coach Massimiliano Allegri will choose either Antonio Cassano or Robinho to partner current Serie A top-scorer in 2011-12 Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack, with Kevin-Prince Boateng in a supporting role behind the two strikers.

Former Inter man Clarence Seedorf is expected to miss out once again, along with long-term absentees Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Inter suffered their first loss in seven matches under new boss Stramaccioni on Wednesday in a 3-1 defeat against Parma at the Tardini.
  • The Nerazzurri have the edge over the course of all Serie A fixtures between the two sides (W57 D49 L49).

  • Diego Milito has struck three times in five top-flight matches against the Rossoneri since joining Inter from Genoa in 2009, including the winner when the sides last met in January.

  • Inter currently sit three points behind Napoli and Udinese in the race for third place in Serie A and the last Champions League qualifying spot.
  • AC Milan have the most prolific attack in Serie A this season, having scored 70 goals in 36 matches.
  • The last 14 derbies have not ended in a draw, the last stalemate coming in October 2004.
  • Allegri's side are on a three-match winning streak and cut the gap to league leaders Juventus down to a point by defeating Atalanta 2-0 on Wednesday night with goals from Sulley Muntari and Robinho.

  • Eight players have been sent off in the last seven derbies between the city rivals, five for Inter and three for AC Milan.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Inter 9-0 Milan
    14.59 %
  • Inter 0-8 Milan
    11.84 %
  • Inter 8-0 Milan
    10.34 %
Head to Head
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Feb 24, 2013 Inter 1 - Milan 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Oct 7, 2012 Milan 0 - Inter 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ May 6, 2012 Inter 4 - Milan 2
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Jan 15, 2012 Milan 0 - Inter 1
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Club Friendlies ‎(FR)‎ Aug 18, 2011 Milan 0 - Inter 1
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Last Five Matches
Inter
May 19, 2013Inter 2 - Udinese 5ITA1
May 12, 2013Genoa 0 - Inter 0ITA1
May 8, 2013Inter 1 - Lazio 3ITA1
May 5, 2013Napoli 3 - Inter 1ITA1
Apr 28, 2013Palermo 1 - Inter 0ITA1
Milan
May 19, 2013Siena 1 - Milan 2ITA1
May 12, 2013Milan 0 - Roma 0ITA1
May 8, 2013Pescara 0 - Milan 4ITA1
May 5, 2013Milan 1 - Torino 0ITA1
Apr 28, 2013Milan 4 - Catania 2ITA1
Odds
Returns: Inter $32.00 Ladbrokes Sign up today with Ladbrokes and get a $20 welcome bonus!
Returns: Draw $34.00 Ladbrokes Sign up today with Ladbrokes and get a $20 welcome bonus!
Returns: Milan $21.00 Ladbrokes Sign up today with Ladbrokes and get a $20 welcome bonus!
Team News
Available Squads
33Julio CésarGoalkeeper
4Javier Adelmar ZanettiDefender
3LucioDefender
3MaiconDefender
25Walter Adrian SamuelDefender
55Yuto NagatomoDefender
14Wesley SneijderMidfielder
11Ricardo Gabriel ÁlvarezMidfielder
14Fredy GuarínMidfielder
19Esteban Matias CambiassoMidfielder
22Diego Alberto MilitoStriker
12Luca CastellazziGoalkeeper
-Iván Ramiro CórdobaDefender
23Andrea RanocchiaDefender
17Angelo PalomboMidfielder
20ObiMidfielder
11Giampaolo PazziniStriker
10Mauro ZárateStriker
32Christian AbbiatiGoalkeeper
14Alessandro NestaDefender
20Ignazio AbateDefender
25Daniele BoneraDefender
76Mario Alberto YepesDefender
-Mark van BommelMidfielder
4Sulley Ali MuntariMidfielder
8Antonio NocerinoMidfielder
10Kevin-Prince BoatengMidfielder
18Zlatan IbrahimovicStriker
7RobinhoStriker
1Marco AmeliaGoalkeeper
5Philippe MexesDefender
2Mattia De SciglioDefender
8Gennaro Ivan GattusoMidfielder
10Alberto AquilaniMidfielder
10Maxi LópezStriker
99Antonio CassanoStriker
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Edinson Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli 		29 7
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese 		23 4
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Striker
Roma 		16 2
Stephan El Shaarawy Stephan El Shaarawy
Midfielder
Milan 		16 0
Germán Denis Germán Denis
Striker
Atalanta 		15 5