Can Milan stop Inter's title charge in the derby?
A Derby della Madonnina with Inter top and Milan fighting for Europe awaits at San Siro on 6 January.
Can anyone halt Internazionale's march to the Scudetto? On 6 January, their city rivals get the next chance. Inter sit first with 45 points from 18 games, six clear of the field, and arrive at the derby in rude health after four wins in five. Milan, sixth with 29 points, know a defeat could leave them adrift of the European places.
Inter's form is built on a 4-2-3-1 that has produced 16 wins in 21 outings, averaging 2.48 points per game and scoring 51 goals. Against teams playing Milan's expected 4-4-2, that record is even more ominous: six wins and a draw in seven, with 19 goals scored and only three conceded. The last meeting between these sides at San Siro ended 1-0 to Inter in May, a narrow result that still left Milan chasing shadows for long spells.
Milan's own 4-4-2 has been less reliable. Over 23 games they have managed just eight wins, though their recent form - two wins and a draw in three - hints at improvement. The absence of Leonel Álvarez, Jonathan and Tariq Tanser through injury strips away experience and width. Álvarez, a former Inter player, damaged an achilles tendon and is not due back until April.
The old-boy story cuts both ways. Diego Suárez returns to the club where he made 277 appearances over eight seasons, though his role is likely to be from the bench. Robespierre, now Inter's right-back, spent two years at Milan and has been in fine scoring form with four goals in his last five games.
Inter's fatigue could be a factor. Eight of their expected starters are carrying heavy legs after a demanding December, including Braian Romero, who has been their most dangerous wide player with a goal and three assists in his last four. Milan's squad is no fresher: Diego Maurício and Viviano Neri are both running on empty.
The key battle may be on Inter's left, where Romero faces Milan right-back Ander Sesma. Romero's average rating of 7.55 dwarfs Sesma's 6.63, and if Inter can isolate that flank the derby could be settled early. But derbies rarely follow the script. Milan have won only one of the last three meetings, yet in this fixture the form book often means nothing.