Vincenzo Montella backed Carlos Bacca, but also confessed Gianluca Lapadula “has a decent chance” of starting Milan–Inter.
The Derby della Madonnina kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“It won’t be a decisive match for anyone, but it is certainly fundamental for us,” said the Rossoneri Coach in his Press conference.
Vincenzo Montella backed Carlos Bacca, but also confessed Gianluca Lapadula “has a decent chance” of starting Milan-Inter.
The Derby della Madonnina kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“It won’t be a decisive match for anyone, but it is certainly fundamental for us,” said the Rossoneri Coach in his Press conference.
Alessio Romagnoli is almost certain to miss out after picking up a muscular injury on international duty.
This season Milan have conceded on average two goals per game when the centre-back pairing of Romagnoli and Gabriel Paletta was split up.
“That just means we’ll have to score more goals,” smiled Montella.
“Inter have a world class attacking trio like Ivan Perisic, Mauro Icardi and Antonio Candreva. I think that rather than mark them, we need to cut off their supply. In my view the game will be one of anticipation.”
Gustavo Gomez is the favourite ahead of Cristian Zapata to replace Romagnoli, but scored an own goal on international duty with Paraguay this week.
“Gomez had the full training session yesterday. He certainly needs to control himself a bit more in Italian football, but he is adapting quickly and eager to learn.
“Zapata has been training regularly for a few weeks. He can’t guarantee 95 minutes, but at times experience can help you overcome a lack of fitness. I have already made my decision, but I won’t tell you what it is…”
Bacca returned from Colombia after international duty and hasn’t found the net for five competitive games, so is there truth to the rumours he could be benched in favour of Lapadula?
“Bacca is 30 years old and has scored so much in his career, so he has nothing more to prove. Lapadula is eager to play, but he needs to stay calm too. It’s a good problem for a Coach to have. I’m relaxed because both give me what I need, so I know any choice I make will be good.
“Does Lapadula have a chance of starting? He has a decent chance.”
As the Chinese takeover should be completed on December 13, this is likely to be President Silvio Berlusconi’s final Derby della Madonnina as patron.
“I don’t know if it’ll be his last derby. I certainly know it will be my first. Will I celebrate with my Aeroplanino move? No, I’ve put on a bit more weight and am afraid of making a crash-landing.”
This week Montella was spotted having dinner with Inter striker Stevan Jovetic, fuelling reports of a January switch across the city.
“We were simply both at the same restaurant, but at different tables. He’s grown a great deal and we had a great time together at Fiorentina, but having said that, I am the Coach of Milan, he plays for Inter and the transfer window is a long way off. This is not the right time to think about it.”