Although it is still very early in the season, the Derby Della Madonnina could be decisive for Inter and Milan‘s title hopes, but only if the Rossoneri win, writes Richard Hall.
The Derby Della Madonnina will once again grace San Siro under the lights on Sunday. The flags, the flares and the passion will resonate in a smoke-filled cauldron amidst a cacophony of noise. The Rossoneri welcome the Nerazzurri into their half of the house and the greeting will not be one of warmth.
Milan have started the race for the Scudetto in an unbelievably quick manner and Inter are desperately trying to hunt them down. This is their chance to do it. This is the Derby where they can make a statement.
If you had watched the Milan clubs in Champions League action in midweek you would be forgiven for drawing an erroneous conclusion. The Rossoneri looked like schoolboys against elite professionals as Porto bullied them. They were out-thought and outfought and were incredibly lucky to draw 1-1.
The Nerazzurri on the other hand, peppered a determined Sheriff goal and were clinical and professional enough to despatch them 3-1 in the second half. On these performances, one would make the assumption that the Milan Derby would look to swing in the way of the black and blue half of Milan but this is far from the case.
The Milanese may not be cultured in Europe this season but they are very domesticated and Stefano Pioli’s side will prove tough opposition as they have won ten and drawn one, only trailing to Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli on goal difference.
They are seven points ahead of Inter and a win in the Derby would make catching them an extremely difficult task. Simone Inzaghi will have to decide whether he wants to stop Milan or go for the jugular although the game may suit him if Milan come onto them and they can use their counter-attacking style in its most dangerous manner.
Perhaps Inter’s key to this game will be veteran Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian has seven domestic goals and one assist to his name and averages a goal every 82 minutes. This week, his importance was discussed when former Inter legend Esteban Cambiasso, spoke of this on Sky Sport Italia. “Dzeko is always fundamental for what he does himself and for what he allows others to do to the team. His character slows him down a bit in people’s feelings: he deserves to be loved much more,” the Nerazzurri star said.
Dzeko has the intelligence to impact games by getting involved in key moments. He is savvy in his movement and he has developed this more and more as he has aged. At 35, he is incredibly effective and you only have to look to the Eternal City to see this. Roma have missed him immensely and whilst Tammy Abraham has talent, he has not got the clinical ability of the Bosnian. He is both unselfish and yet ruthless and this has helped his partnership with Lautaro Martinez grow.
There is no argument to say that he is a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, far from it. Yet he will provide a remarkable bridge until Inter’s finances are sorted out and investment can be made again. He is proving this so much this season that, whilst Milan will be looking out for Lautaro, Barella and Brozovic, they will also be very wary of Dzeko and just what damage he can do in big games.
This was a big week for Inter. Barella extended his stay at the club, signing a new deal until June 2026. There is the confidence that Marcelo Brozovic will follow the Italy international despite rumours linking him with Tottenham and Barcelona. The victory against Sheriff in the Champions League means they are second and favourites to go through. If they can beat Shakhtar and Real Madrid beat Sheriff (anything is possible) then Inzaghi is likely to achieve what Spalletti and Antonio Conte could not, he will qualify.
This feel-good factor and the fact that they have a group of players that know how to win in big games does give Inter a chance to put the brakes on Milan’s excellent start to the season and, in turn, give their own title hopes a boost. It would be a statement win that would see them claw their way back into a title race that has started in some style. Like any long-distance run, it’s not about the sprint it’s about keeping with the pack.
@RichHall80
Fair officiating will be the key to give the fair result, if either team gets soft Penalties and Easy Red cards awarded to opponent, that will be an advantage with the help of FIGC officiating team as we have all witnessed many times this season, especially against the Black Sheep of Italian clubs.