AC MILAN v INTER: OPPONENT REVIEW

The last few seasons have had one constant: the derbies between AC Milan and Inter have rarely been limited to just two league encounters. The Rossoneri and Nerazzurri have often faced each other in other competitions, and they could even meet again later on this season, too. The clash that will kick off our February comes on the heels of the fantastic memory of the Supercoppa final in Saudi Arabia. When it comes to introducing Simone Inzaghi’s men, it is like introducing a neighbour whose qualities and flaws are already well known, with nothing new left to discover. However, we’ll try to do this in our pre-match analysis, as we approach a game that has always - and will always - captivate the attention and emotions of every Rossoneri fan.

First, the numbers. When Daniele Chiffi blows the whistle for kick-off at 18:00 CET on Sunday 2 February, it will mark the start of the 242nd derby in history across all competitions. The overall record slightly favours the Nerazzurri, but the Rossoneri have won the last two matches played this season - the reverse fixture on 22 September at San Siro and in Riyadh - and could emerge victorious from three derby showdowns in a single campaign for the first time since 2004/05. Generally, there is a perfectly balanced record when it comes to the last seven encounters between the two teams in Serie A (three wins for each side and one draw), with one constant: AC Milan have always conceded a goal in the first half, although they have also managed to turn the final result in their favour.

INTER'S AWAY FORM, STILL NEED TO PROVE THEMSELVES DEFENSIVELY
The upcoming derby will see AC Milan as the home team, with the Rossoneri set to come up against a side enjoying real success away from home. Yes, the game will be played at San Siro, but it’s impossible not to highlight the Nerazzurri’s great form on the road. Indeed, in the league, they’ve won eight consecutive away matches, with their last seven victories all arriving without conceding a goal (23 goals scored). Only one team in Serie A history has done better in terms of successive clean sheets on the road, and that’s AC Milan during the 1993/1994 season. With such an excellent defensive record characterised by impressive numbers, it seems almost paradoxical to mention that the Nerazzurri need to prove themselves defensively. Here, we’re referring to big matches: in 2024/25, Inter have conceded five goals (in two matches) against AC Milan, and they also shipped four against Juventus in October. Furthermore, they, at times, struggled against league leaders Napoli, even if McTominay was the only player to get on the scoresheet for the Partenopei.

AC Milan could find potential vulnerabilities on the counter and down the middle: the two previous encounters this season – most notably Pulisic’s goals at San Siro and in Riyadh – serve as examples in this regard. However, maximum concentration will be needed throughout the full 90 minutes: AC Milan and Inter are among the most prolific teams in Serie A for goals scored during the opening 15 minutes of play (only Atalanta have done better than both), but the Nerazzurri are leading the way when it comes to second-half goals (29). Then we have set-pieces: no team in the top five European leagues has found the net more times than Inter from such situations (16 goals, the same as Bayern and Wolfsburg), with the Nerazzurri always seeking to exploit the physicality and athleticism of several players. However, this season, AC Milan have shown greater attentiveness than they have done in the past when defending dead ball situations; only Napoli have performed better than the Rossoneri in this regard.

LAUTARO IN GREAT FORM, SOME BIG PLAYERS BACK
The Nerazzurri’s captain, Lautaro Martínez, is in fantastic form. After breaking his 2025 duck with the opening goal in Riyadh, Inter’s No.10 scored a hat-trick in the Champions League against Monaco last time out and has just enjoyed his most prolific month of the season (eight goals across three competitions in January). The Argentinian striker is heading into the cross-city clash on the back of a five-match scoring streak – considering both Serie A and Europe’s elite competition – and only once in the league (Inter’s 2-2 draw against Bologna) has a Lautaro goal not coincided with a victory for Inzaghi’s side. The player expected to line up alongside him in attack is Marcus Thuram, who has only bagged once in 2025 (against Empoli on 19 January). That said, the Frenchman is still enjoying his best-ever season in front of goal in the league. Another player in great form is Denzel Dumfries, who was particularly prolific in January.

Once again, as has been a constant in recent cross-city clashes, the Dutchman is set to come up against Theo Hernández. It’s a direct duel where the winner has often made a significant contribution to a positive outcome for their team. Inter are set to be boosted by the return of two important players, at least from the bench (but ready, if called upon, to make an impact during the game). They are Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who picked up an injury during the Supercoppa final in Riyadh, and Francesco Acerbi, who hasn’t played since Inter’s match against Hellas Verona on 23 November. Both have often been decisive in encounters between AC Milan and Inter in recent campaigns. Furthermore, Benjamin Pavard is back after playing 90 minutes against Monaco and also starting in Inter’s recent victory over Empoli on 19 January. The absence of the Frenchman, who missed the entire month of December due to a hamstring injury, proved costly for Inzaghi during the Supercoppa Final Four, but the former Bayern Munich player is now fully fit again.

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