Serie A: Derby di Milano Numero Uno

AC Milan vs Inter Milan

The 2022 and 2021 Scudetto winners are the headline act in Italy this weekend when the Milan Derby comes to town. It’s one of the biggest clashes in world football and the winner will finish the game ahead of their rivals in the league table.

That’s just how it should be to add the extra spice we love!  

Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan have started their Serie A title defence with two home wins and two away draws and they sit in fifth place. Meanwhile, Inter boss Simone Inzaghi has his plans to wrestle the Scudetto out of Pioli’s hands, and his side has collected a point more with three wins and a single defeat to Lazio.

Inter start the weekend in second position, but either team could finish the day at the top of the pile should results elsewhere go their way.

So yes, both Milan teams have come out of the blocks with a strong set of Serie A 2022 results but they need to kick on, and a win in the Derby di Milano is the perfect way to turn a good start into a great start.

A defeat, however, is unthinkable.

Talking Points

Will Leao still be in Milan?

Milan’s breakout star of 2021/22 Rafael Leao has been the subject of transfer speculation throughout the summer but, at the time of writing on deadline day, he is still a Milan player.

Officials at the club still had nerves on Thursday morning though as Premier League club Chelsea, who have made a shaky start to their league campaign, have not given up their pursuit.

The Blues have turned their attention towards the Rossoneri star and are said to be willing to shell out a cool £100-M. But Milan are desperate to keep hold of Leao, who scored 14 goals last term and was awarded the title of “Serie A’s Most Valuable Player”, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, and Inter Milan star Romelu Lukaku.   

Leao is part of Milan’s youthful attacking unit which includes Brahim Diaz, Ismail Bennacer, and Sandro Tonali and it would be a shame for their fans to break this up.

But the return to fitness of Croatian winger Ante Rebic has been a huge boost to the team. He missed a lot of last season through injury but is back to full fitness and has scored twice already.

In defence, Milan will be without right-back Alessandro Florenzi, who was injured in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Sassuolo. The club has moved quickly and have reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign young American Sergino Dest who is undergoing a medical. 

Martinez is Inter’s main man  

The big news in Milan during the summer surrounded the return of striker Romelu Lukaku, who was a big player in Inter’s 2021 Scudetto triumph. But it is his strike partner who grabbed the headlines last season and has started this campaign in fantastic form.

Lautaro Martinez, with three goals already, is at the head of the race for the Golden Boot and he’ll be Inter’s biggest threat on Saturday.   

With 61 goals in 139 games for I Nerazzurri, the 25-year-old Argentine hitman has established himself as one of the most accomplished strikers in world football. In his four seasons at the San Siro, he has developed year on year as a quick, agile, and technically brilliant player with great balance, quick feet, and a cool head in front of goal.

He’s no giant at 5’9”, but when you add his physical strength to his football skills you can see why Martinez is one of the most coveted stars in the big European leagues.   

After kicking off the new campaign with back-to-back wins, Inter came unstuck in a difficult encounter away to Lazio, losing 3-1, but they recovered with a 3-1 win over Cremonese as Martinez, Joaquin Correa, and Nicola Barella all hit the target.

History

Inter have the edge in the Derby di Milano head-to-heads with 28 wins to Milan’s 23 during the last 70 meetings, and there have been 19 draws. 

The last time the two teams met, Inter put AC out of the 2022 Coppa Italia semi-final with an aggregate 3-0 win as Martinez scored a brace in the second leg. So Milan are looking for revenge and to give their fans the bragging rights.   

While title rivals Juventus have an eye-catching clash away to Fiorentina this weekend, the Derby di Milano will take centre stage, so let’s take a look at the odds and make a call. 

Betting Tip

The Serie A 2022 betting odds can hardly split the Milan giants for this game with I Rossoneri the marginal favourites to win at a SBOTOP price of 2.59, while Inter are at 2.61 to win. The draw is at 3.01 so take your pick.

I’m going for Milan to edge it as I’m banking on Leao still being a Rossoneri player.  

 

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