The 245th Derby della Madonnina could prove important in the long run, with only two points separating Inter, who began the round top of the table, and their city rivals AC Milan.
Although Inter are listed as the home side, both teams share the San Siro, so the usual home advantage is less meaningful. Inter come into the match in strong form, having beaten Lazio 2–0 before the international break, which extended their winning run at home to six matches.
They have also won three league games in a row overall, and their preparations could hardly be better. Even so, all three of their Serie A defeats this season have come against teams currently in the top half, a reminder that nothing is guaranteed in a derby of this size.
Milan are unbeaten in ten league matches, with six wins and four draws, though four draws in their last six outings have slowed their momentum. Giving up the lead in the last three of those draws has been particularly frustrating for Massimiliano Allegri. Without European commitments this season, Milan know they have a slight advantage in the title race, and a victory here would send out a strong message. They are the only Serie A side still unbeaten away from home, with two wins and three draws, so they find themselves hoping that the familiar stadium won’t work against them on this occasion.
Recent meetings have favoured Milan, who have won three and drawn two of the last five derbies, including two victories when Inter were marked as the home team. Inter have scored more second-half home goals than any other Serie A side this season and their matches have produced the highest average number of goals in the league. Milan, meanwhile, have not conceded the first goal in any away match and have not trailed at half-time once this season.
Inter will look again to Ange-Yoan Bonny, who has scored three home league goals, two of them late in matches. Milan welcomed Christian Pulisic back before the international break; despite missing much of the previous round of fixtures, he is still their top scorer with six goals, all scored after the half-hour mark. Inter may be without Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Çalhanoğlu remains uncertain to feature, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is ruled out. Milan will decide late on whether Santiago Giménez can play.
With six of the last seven derbies producing goals for both sides, many will expect another open and lively contest.
