AC Milan vs Inter Milan
Italy Serie A
Date: Sunday, 21 February 2021
Kick-Off at 14.00 UK
Venue: Stadio San Siro, Milano.
There will be fireworks when Milan and Inter go head to head in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday.
The Rossoneri failed to impress in a 2-0 loss to Spezia, with the team failing to create a descent goalscoring opportunity, and it is no wonder bookies see them as underdogs in the Milano derby.
Brahim Diaz is sidelined with injury for the hosts, while Ante Rebic will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
The Nerazzurri, on the other hand, aim to build on a 3-1 win over Lazio. Inter are determined to retain top position in the standings, and given Milan’s display in the defeat to Spezia, away win should be considered.
Since Arturo Vidal is the only absentee in the away team, we are tempted to put our money on Antonio Conte’s troops, who eliminated the Rossoneri in the Coppa Italia earlier in 2021.
AC Milan vs Inter Milan Head-to-head
Teams AC Milan Inter played so far 56 matches.
AC Milan won 23 direct matches. Inter won 22 matches. 11 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.48 goals per Match.
AC Milan vs Inter Milan Prediction
AC Milan in actual season average scored 2.22 goals per match. In 19 (95.00%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 16 (80.00%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Inter average scored 2.44 goals per match in season 2021. In 13 (81.25%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 9 (56.25%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Following his omission from the action in Belgrade, Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to the first XI in place of his recently-acquired deputy Mario Mandzukic, while Davide Calabria also comes back in on the right flank and Simon Kjaer resumes his senior role in central defence, as Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori both drop to the bench.
Now fully emerged from a brief injury and illness crisis earlier in the month, coach Stefano Pioli only has concerns over the availability of Brahim Diaz and midfield lynchpin Ismael Bennacer - one of the recent returnees - who picked up a niggle in the Serbian capital.
Should Bennacer miss out, Sandro Tonali would partner Franck Kessie in the Rossoneri engine room and, since everyone else is now near full fitness, playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu will be joined by any two from Alexis Saelemaekers, Ante Rebic, Samu Castillejo and Rafael Leao, in support of Ibrahimovic in attack.
Never a man for vast overhauls or unnecessary tinkering, Inter coach Antonio Conte could name the same side which enjoyed such supremacy over Lazio last week - particularly as they will have had several spare days to recover from their exertions.
Therefore, it is quite possible that one-time outcast Christian Eriksen, who seems to have salvaged his Calcio career with the Coppa Italia winner against Milan, will be preferred to veteran Arturo Vidal on the left of Conte's midfield three.
Ivan Perisic on the left flank is most under threat, with previous incumbent Ashley Young waiting in the wings.
Stalwart goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, who has just celebrated his 500th Serie A appearance, starts behind the usual back three, with the 'Lu-La' deadly duo of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez up front.
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Kessie, Tonali; Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Rebic; Ibrahimovic
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Eriksen, Perisic; Martinez, Lukaku