The 238th official Milan derby takes center stage this Sunday as Serie A champions Inter Milan host city rivals AC Milan at the iconic San Siro. With Inter seeking a record seventh straight win in this fixture and Milan desperate to turn their season around, the stage is set for another classic encounter between these storied clubs.
Inter enter this match riding an unprecedented wave of success against their bitter rivals. The Nerazzurri have won six consecutive derbies across all competitions, outscoring Milan by an astounding 14-2 aggregate in the process. This run includes two victories in last season’s Champions League semi-finals and a title-clinching 2-1 triumph in April that secured Inter’s 20th Scudetto.
Manager Simone Inzaghi has the opportunity to further cement his place in Inter lore. An eighth derby win would move him into second place all-time for Inter coaches, trailing only the legendary Carlo Ancelotti. The current streak has already matched Milan’s record of six straight derby wins set between 1946 and 1948.
While Inter sit third in the Serie A table and remain unbeaten this season, Milan find themselves in crisis mode after their worst start since 2018. New coach Paulo Fonseca is already facing intense speculation about his job security, with reports suggesting club advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic is pushing for a change.
Inter demonstrated their title credentials by holding Manchester City to a goalless draw in the Champions League midweek. Milan, on the other hand, succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Liverpool despite taking an early lead through Christian Pulisic.
Team News
Federico Dimarco is expected to return from a minor muscle issue, likely replacing Carlos Augusto at left wing-back. Captain Lautaro Martinez, who has yet to score this season, should be restored to the starting lineup after being rested against Manchester City.
The in-form Marcus Thuram will partner Martinez up front. The French international has been a revelation since joining Inter, contributing six goals and assists in just four league appearances. He now has the chance to join Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku as the only players to score in their first three Milan derbies.
Inzaghi is likely to deploy his preferred 3-5-2 formation, with Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan forming a formidable midfield trio. The back three of Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni provides a solid defensive foundation.
Milan’s biggest concern revolves around the fitness of goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who was forced off during the Liverpool match. With backup Marco Sportiello also sidelined, 19-year-old Lorenzo Torriani may be thrust into the spotlight for his senior debut.
Fonseca will be without injured trio Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi, and Malick Thiaw. However, he’s likely to persist with the attacking quartet that dismantled Venezia 4-0 last weekend. Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez returned to the starting XI in that match, combining with Christian Pulisic and new signing Youssouf Fofana to devastating effect.
The Rossoneri are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with either Alvaro Morata or Tammy Abraham leading the line. Leao will be crucial to Milan’s hopes, having been directly involved in five goals against Inter – more than against any other opponent except Hellas Verona and Roma.
Expected Starting XIs
Inter: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
AC Milan: Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Loftus-Cheek; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Morata
Match Prediction
While form often goes out the window in derby matches, it’s difficult to look past Inter’s recent dominance in this fixture. Milan desperately need a result to ease the pressure on Fonseca, but Inter’s superior quality should see them extend their historic run.
Prediction: Inter Milan 2-1 AC Milan
