AC Milan must close a seven-point gap to Serie A leaders Inter Milan when the two sides meet in Saturday’s Derby della Madonnina, after a damaging midweek defeat exposed further inconsistency in Ruben Amorim’s team.
Milan followed last week’s loss to Bournemouth with a 4-2 home defeat by Bologna, while Inter maintained top spot with a hard-fought victory at Venezia, sealed by two late own goals.
The Rossoneri have transformed their record in recent derbies after a long winless run, remaining unbeaten in the past seven and winning five, including two 1-0 league victories last season.
However, those successes ultimately brought disappointment. Milan’s first Serie A double over Inter since 2011 was followed by a dramatic collapse, as Inter went on to win the title. Six defeats in the final 10 league matches also cost Milan Champions League qualification and led to a rapid change in the club’s leadership.
Amorim was appointed to rebuild the side, but Milan have taken only three points from three Europa League matches and sit fifth in Serie A. Their unbeaten league start ended against Bologna in chaotic circumstances at San Siro.
Bologna scored after eight minutes before Alphadjo Cisse’s two goals put Milan ahead. The hosts then unravelled after half-time, conceding four league goals at home for the first time in almost four years. Samuel Mbangula’s hat-trick made him only the second player to score three times away to Milan in Serie A, after Gabriel “Batigol” Batistuta in 1998.
Inter, meanwhile, have responded to last November’s derby defeat – when former Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu had a penalty saved by Mike Maignan – with a 15-match unbeaten league run.
Cristian Chivu’s side won both domestic trophies last season, adding a 10th Coppa Italia to their 21st Scudetto. They have also recovered from losing the lead briefly to surprise challengers Lazio, who are behind Inter only on goals scored.
Inter have taken 25 points from their opening eight league matches, losing only two points – their best total at this stage of a Serie A season in the 21st century. They came from behind for the fifth time in eight league games to beat Fiorentina, scoring twice late, before benefiting from two late own goals at Stadio Penzo.
Lautaro Martinez remains out with a flexor problem, so two of Marcus Thuram, Ange Bonny and Pio Esposito are expected to start. Luis Henrique, Benjamin Pavard, John Stones and Curtis Jones are also unavailable. Carlos Augusto is set to continue after six goal contributions this season, while Josep Martinez could replace Ivan Provedel in goal.
Milan may recall Luka Modric and Christian Pulisic after both started on the bench against Bologna. Fikayo Tomori is a doubt after going off injured. Samuel Chukwueze, Mattia Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers and Ruben Loftus-Cheek remain unavailable, while Adrien Rabiot, Diego Moreira and Mario Gila return to the squad.
Cisse, who scored with both feet against Bologna and has already produced a “tripletta perfetta” in the Europa League, could support Pulisic and Goncalo Ramos.
Probable teams
AC Milan: Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic, Estupinan; Moreira, Modric, Musah, Cisse; Pulisic, Ramos.
Inter Milan: J. Martinez; Akanji, Bastoni, Augusto; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito.
Milan won both meetings last season, but the teams drew 1-1 at Perth’s Optus Stadium in pre-season. With injuries affecting both squads and fatigue a concern, another draw is being tipped.
Three betting tips: draw at 3.58; Marcus Thuram to score at 1.90; Goncalo Ramos to be decisive at 2.45.