INTER v AC MILAN: KEYS TO THE MATCH

The calendar offers the derby as a seizable opportunity to regain confidence and victories. At San Siro - Matchday 21 of Serie A - AC Milan and Inter will face each other on Sunday at 20:45 CET for the third time this season, and as always it will be a match full of tension and hard work to be done before the whistle blows. In our in-depth report, we try to analyse the possible deciding factors and the possible turning points of the eagerly awaited Milan derby.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OCCASION
Sometimes a single mistake is enough to decide matches of this importance. During Sunday's big match, converting the chances built will be a fundamental factor in shifting the balance of the challenge in your favour. Ones to watch, therefore, will be Olivier Giroud and Lautaro Martínez, the two teams' star strikers. The Rossoneri lost in the last matchday and want to make an impact again in the Derby at home to Inter, exactly as happened a year ago. But not only them, because the two teams have several weapons at their disposal to trouble the opposing defences. The Derby, however, has often proved to be an open and unpredictable match right up to the last minute, and history teaches us that finding the way to the net even from an unlikely position could set the match on fire, as well as shifting the tide in a certain win. Watchfulness and stability the arrows with which the Rossoneri will have to arm their bow.

CONTROL AND DOMINANCE IN MIDFIELD
Formations and characteristics of the midfield interpreters differentiate the two line-ups. The Nerazzurri's 3-5-2 has three men in the middle of the field, while the Rossoneri's 4-2-3-1 - so far a reference module - two. The role and interpretation of the men in the middle of the field will allow them to take possession of a crucial area of the pitch, but also to manage possession control and create moments with quality. For the aforementioned reasons and to make up for the absences, first and foremost that of Bennacer, the Rossoneri will consider relying on a 4-3-3, with Rade Krunić and Tommaso Pobega favoured centre-midfielders on either side of Tonali. Regardless of the starting line-up, Krunić's (or Pobega's) contribution in both halves will be crucial to AC Milan's balance. As a CAM to shut down the Nerazzurri's threat without neglecting offensive duties, as a midfielder to provide the necessary support to the passing lanes and make interceptions.

WORK IN PROGRESS
Tension and friction will inevitably accompany and condition a match with the highest expectation. For these reasons, the course of the match could turn out to be hard-fought and full of ups and downs. Tactics and organisation or freedom and changes of pace, as happened in the first leg. What is certain is that the players from the respective benches could shift the balance in both cases: to find fresh forces and attempt a comeback or to open the match. Pioli could rely, from this point of view, on Origi and Rebić, in search of breakthroughs and incisiveness - but also on De Ketelaere and Saelemaekers among others. Inzaghi, on the other hand, to Lukaku and Correa up front, combined with Gosens and Dumfries to liven up the wings. With the result in the balance, these changes will become even more valuable.

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