Week 12 Derby della Madonnina
The first Milan derby of the 2021-2022 season features Milan seven points and one place ahead of Inter in the standings. The Serie A form that has Milan a team record unbeaten in 11 to start the season will be tested against Inter. Unlike the city rivals Milan has managed the form with an all too big injury list. As of today the injury list is easing with Florenzi, Rebic and Diaz back in the squad. However, Maignan remains a key long term absentee.
A double yellow at Roma has another key piece missing. Theo’s clumsiness will mean that either Ballo-Toure or Kalulu will start. The latter has seemed very uncomfortable as a left back and if he is to start it is probably a wise move to let Calabria be the left back. Tomori and Kjaer have been mostly excellent and are the most likely starters in front of Tatarusanu. The Romanian keeper is not exactly the best or safest ball handler but has done as well as to be expected.
Partly due to the seemingly never ending injury situation the double pivots in front of the back four have rarely been a constant this season. Kessie and Tonali are the more likely starters for this Derby della Madonnina. With Castillejo out with an injury the only alternative for the right wing position remains Saelemaekers. The Belgian has been sub par and right wing remains the team’s weak point. Krunic looks to be favoured to Diaz for the middle attacking spot. Only Pioli is confident of this choice. Leao will play the left wing position. The Portuguese has shown flashes of talent but one feels he can do a lot more. When actually playing – and perhaps even as a motivational force on the bench – Ibra has been more convincing than Giroud and will want to start against Inter. If healthy and in shape he will.
Inter feature former Milan player in Hakan Calhanoglu. The Turkish international hasn’t impressed too many people and has been in and out of the Inter lineup. His form against Milan would be interesting to see, if he takes on a free kick even more so. Inter feature far more solid players than the Milan’s former midfielder though. The likes of Nicolo Barella, with a newly extended contract, and Marcelo Brozovic can hurt most teams and so can Lautaro Martinez, another who extended his contract recently with a relatively team friendly salary of €6 million.
Simone Inzaghi is still getting settled at Inter, the opportunity to extend the distance to third place and reverse the course of recent derbies should be taken. Forza Milan.
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