GdS: Anger, standings and goalscorers – why today’s Milan-Inter derby matters so much | OneFootball

Derby games that can be lost are yet to be invested, but tonight’s Derby Della Madonnina is an absolute must-win for both AC Milan and Inter. As highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport, this has made for a particular atmosphere.

Given the effect tonight’s game could have on the remainder of the season, and the previous two derbies this season, tensions are indeed running high. Today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below) has picked out a few key aspects to note.

The anger

Milan and Inter will step onto the San Siro pitch with a lot of anger, which should be a guarantee for quite the show. The Rossoneri’s anger is obviously linked to the defeat in Zagreb mid-week, as well as the subsequent team meeting with Sergio Conceicao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the dressing room.

Rafael Leao and his teammates will have to show that they have the ‘basics’, as Conceicao has referred to, and overturn yet another poor moment. They have done it twice already this season, in the derby that is, and are now looking for a third success.

Inter’s anger stems from the two derbies they have lost. In what has been an excellent season so far, the two defeats against their city rivals – especially the one in Riyadh – stand out like stains on a white shirt.

What has filtered from Appiano Gentile in recent days is that the Nerazzurri players are very keen on removing those stains, getting back in line with the previous six derbies.

The near future

Of course, there is much more than pride at stake. Milan (34 points), with a comeback in the pipeline, must win in order not to lose sight of Lazio’s (39) fourth place, on the pitch tomorrow, and respond to the surge of Bologna (37) who won yesterday.

Juve (37) and Fiorentina (36) will also play before the derby. A win and a boost in the standings would certainly improve the morale, especially considering the next two games (Empoli and Hellas Verona) could facilitate a club. A defeat, meanwhile, would make the top-four pursuit very complicated.

For Inter, winning is fundamental in the Scudetto race to keep up with Napoli who are flying (7 wins in a row). Antonio Conte’s army, without cups, can recover, rest and train. Inzaghi, meanwhile, will experience a terrible February with three different competitions.

After the derby, they will face Fiorentina twice in four days, before Juve. Simone wants to start the marathon that will take him to the direct clash at the Maradona, on March 2, well.

The newcomers

Kyle Walker will make his debut for Milan tonight, replacing the disappointing Emerson Royal and Davide Calabria. The latter left Milanello yesterday in tears, having won the Scudetto with the Rossoneri as the captain, and now the three Italians on the pitch are Nerazzurri.

The only Milanese player, Federico Dimarco, will cross paths with Walker just like in the Istanbul final. Inter’s newcomer, Zalewski, who has joined on loan from Roma will be on the bench and could be an option during the game.

The goalscorers

The Champions League hat-trick against Monaco is Lautaro Martinez’s calling card, who is chasing the 10th goal in the derby. Having woken up in the Arab derby, the Argentina hasn’t stopped since. Furthermore, Marcus Thuram has already scored 13 goals in the league. ThuLa shines.

Christian Pulisic has scored twice in the previous two derbies this season. Milan is clinging to him and, of course, to the bizarre genius of Leao who put on a show in Riyadh and overturned Inter. His had the delicious assist for the 3-2 winner by Tammy Abraham, who will lead Conceiçao’s attack tonight.

He’s the present of the role, the future will be sitting in the stands: Santiago Gimenez. He will study closely what kind of beast the Milan derby is. Maybe he will get to experience a couple of them, before the holidays: in the Champions League quarter-finals and in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.