INTER v AC MILAN: DUELS

Inter v AC Milan, a highly anticipated showdown where the Rossoneri need to be at their best. At 18:00 CET tomorrow, San Siro will host the second Derby of the season, this time with the Nerazzurri as the designated home side. It finished 1-1 in the reverse fixture, and now it’s time to add another chapter to the tale. Whether it’s a positive or negative one will be decided by the battles on the pitch. Here are the most interesting ones:

LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ v RAFAEL LEÃO
One will partner Dzeko, the other will support either Ibrahimović or Giroud. Both are fast and unpredictable, and both have enjoyed excellent seasons so far. Leão is no longer a surprise package and has been a key figure in AC Milan’s attacking play, especially since the winter break. He found the net against Roma and Spezia, provided two assists against Venezia and is the Rossonero who has had the most shots on (21) and off (22) target up to this point. Across Serie A, he’s leading the way in terms of number of dribbles: 54, at least eight more than any other player. He’ll be looking to leave his mark in a Derby, and, through his pace, has the potential to do damage and make the difference. With eleven goals to his name, Martínez is Inter’s top scorer this Serie A season, despite not finding the net in the league since mid-December against Salernitana. In 2022, he’s bagged on one occasion at club level – in the Supercoppa Italiana final – although he did net against Chile and Colombia while on international duty. He missed a penalty in the reverse fixture, although he did score a brace in the second Derby showdown of the 2020/21 Serie A campaign. In general, he’s been involved in four goals (three goals, one assist) in five cross-city clashes.

MARCELO BROZOVIĆ v SANDRO TONALI
The brains and engines in midfield. Both are high-quality players of substance, but they’re also different. Sandro, who played in the free kick that led to AC Milan’s equaliser in the Derby in November, is less of a deep-lying playmaker and more inclined to push forward and try to find the net himself. Brozović, meanwhile, knits things together like nobody else: he’s the player who has started the most moves ending with a shot on goal in the Italian top flight this season (27). The Italian and the Croat cover a lot of distance, and they’re also leading the way in their respective sides in terms of passes in the opposition half (454 for Tonali, 846 for Brozović) and number of fouls committed (26 v 25). They’ll need to battle and use their heads on Saturday as they hope to make an impact.

IVAN PERIŠIĆ v THEO HERNÁNDEZ
Two left-footers who enjoy getting up and down the wing. A full-back in AC Milan’s 4-2-3-1 formation, Hernández, who is one booking away from suspension, won’t play in such an advanced position as Perišić in Inter’s 3-5-2. Both have scored four goals this season, but the Rossonero has provided more assists (five compared to one). Interestingly, their Serie A debuts came in the Derby: Theo against Inter in September 2019 and Ivan against AC Milan in September 2015. The Frenchman is a key player for Pioli and the defender who has covered the most distance (3938m) with the ball at his feet this season. As for the Croat, he has five assists to his name against the Rossoneri; he hasn’t done better against any other opponent in this regard. They’re ready to push hard, provide cover and pick out the right balls.

SAMIR HANDANOVIČ v MIKE MAIGNAN
Out of the goalkeepers who have made at least five appearances this Serie A season, Handanović (79%) and Maignan (75%) are two of the three goalkeepers with the highest save percentages (Ospina sits between them on 77%). A spectacle and plenty of excitement are expected, perhaps many goals too. The two shot-stoppers will be hoping to prevent this, and they certainly could determine the outcome. Let’s not forget how Tătărușanu kept the Diavolo on level terms with his penalty save to deny Martínez in the reverse fixture. Mike will be involved in his first Derby, but this most definitely doesn’t apply to Samir, who is set to move above Silvio Piola (currently 537 matches each) in the all-time Serie A appearance ranking. Both will probably be tested between the sticks, and it’s difficult to imagine that two clean sheets will be kept. Nevertheless, these two experienced goalkeepers will be aiming to deal with the pressure, rise to the occasion and keep the door firmly shut.

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