Inter-Milan, the scudetto derby: Garlando’s analysis in the Gazzetta

“I want to take over the great Milan”, sang the divine Ornella Vanoni who supported Milan and enchanted the Inter fan Bonny. This is the meaning of tonight’s derby: whoever wins takes the city. The Nerazzurri can extend to +5, the Rossoneri overtake at +1. But there is much more at stake than the Navigli belt. Is it too early to talk about the championship? No. It’s too early to say who will win it, but, in light of the 11 matches played and the obstacles of the competition (Juve, Napoli, Roma without an attack…) we can already say that these two teams, in all likelihood, will race to the end for the tricolour. So, yes, this is a championship derby. Milan suffered a couple of foolish draws (Pisa, Parma), but the last defeat dates back to 23 August (Cremonese): one in 13 games played. Inter have won 11 of their last 12 matches in all competitions. The derby is the collision between two launched planets which, with the complicity of Cremonese (anti-Roma), aim for the top of the rankings. Milan wants to give continuity to the 5 derbies of last season (none lost), Inter to the previous 6 (all won). Milan defeated Napoli and Roma, Inter lost to Juve and Napoli: the Rossoneri were more solid in head-to-head matches. Derby will have to confirm or deny.

the tactics of chivu and allegri

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Cristian Chivu wants to give “a Monday without teasing” to Inter fans, Max Allegri “a week of serenity”, therefore coinciding objectives. Also superimposable for the ability with which they gave a solid identity to their respective creatures, in a short time, even if with different principles. There is already a Milan of Allegri and an Inter of Chivu, unmarked by the previous models. More understandable for Max, given his experience and charisma; more surprising for the debutant Cristian who impressed with his certainty of ideas and choices. Giving up retirement in the first derby is not trivial. He explains: “Anxiety is a liar, you shouldn’t listen to it.” The Romanian strikes with profound concepts, without the need to say “idiot”. Always talk about the smile, even yesterday. It’s almost time to write a phenomenology of his language. The two coaches obviously differ on a tactical level. Allegri is not ashamed of retreating into his tents and leading the team that gives the opponents the most play in Serie A, because then, starting from those tents, he surprises the besiegers. Chivu raised Inzaghi’s pressing line and streamlined his verticalization, without throwing away his dribbling ability. Max will have studied how to best escape from the Nerazzurri piranhas, thanks to Maestro Modric, to trigger his depth devours; Cristian will have siliconed the preventive closures, a necessary condition for spending the offensive strike happily. It won’t be enough for him to look after the usual suspects, because Allegri also often drops Pavlovic, one of the AC Milan players who has clocked up the most kilometers in charge.

calhanoglu, modric and….

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In the light of the score, it is easy to imagine the stars on the derby posters. Calhanoglu-Modric is a summit of brains and professor feet, with echoes of Rivera-Suarez. The Turk, top scorer (5 goals), will go with Lautaro under pressure on the Croatian to block the Rossoneri’s circulation. Rabiot’s return after more than a month is a caress for Allegri who cut Milan on him. Not only a galloper, he is also one of the best at biting without the ball and recovering it. “The first derby will be electric,” Adrien prophesied. Making it coincide with his first goal as a AC Milan player is his plan. Pulisic scored twice in derbies last season. He has the strength and meandering agility in the short term that the heavy Nerazzurri rearguard can suffer. Leao, of course. The Devil’s people hope for it in the Arabic version, when, elusive, he overturned the result and Inter in the Super Cup. In 20 derbies, he took part in 7 goals: 3 goals and 4 assists. He likes Milanese adrenaline. The caress for Chivu is the return of Marcus Thuram as a starter after 57 days. The people of Biscione hope for it in the version of the first derby (16 September 2023): water heater at the top corner. The Frenchman guarantees percussion in depth, aerial danger and technical understanding with Lautaro: ThuLa is reunited. Unlike Milan, Inter will have a real center forward in the heart of the area, ready to create spaces, make plays and “here’s to the botts“, Ornella would sing. Toro (9 goals in derbies) is looking for double figures which would put them behind only Nyers (11) and Meazza (12). They will be looking for a way to celebrate their 350th match with the Nerazzurri. Allegri is missing Gimenez, Chivu is missing Dumfries.

a derby of endless magic

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A week ago, San Siro had to host the embarrassing Italy-Norway match. A joyful, high-quality derby would serve to wipe away that unfortunate performance. We hope it is beautiful and correct, because a Milan frightened by attacks and knives does not need more violence. We trust in the magic of the derby. “Endless” magic, Ornella would sing.