Inter-Milan, the Italian Cup crossroads: Vernazza’s analysis on the Gazzetta

Tonight Inter play for the triple and to sweeten the bitterness of the defeat of Bologna at Easter in the championship. This derby is a breaking of boxes, stuck among the anxieties of the championship – the primacy to be shared with Napoli – and the first leg of the Champions League semifinals against Barcelona. Inter are under pressure as never perhaps it was in the four -year period with Simone Inzaghi coach. Two years ago, in 2023, Napoli was about to win the championship with arms raised, solo, and Inter could focus on the Champions League, to treat a great ending against Manchester City, and win the Italian Cup with partial compensation. This year Inter wants everything – so Inzaghi said – and everything could vanish tonight. The national cup is essential for the triple, even if it represents its weak link. Today Inter have so much to lose. If he passes, he will have done his duty. If it is eliminated, it will suffer a repercussions, the tripplete dream will disappear and the blow will make broken with the fall of Bologna. Two slips in a few days would increase doubts and nervousisms, and the slogan “all or nothing” – which Inzaghi does not like – would no longer have reason to be. At that point, Inter should focus on the option “Something” – Scudetto, Champions League, Club World Championships – against the nightmare of “Zero Tituli”.

for the city rivalry

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However it goes, it will be a failure. The Italian Cup, in case, will sanction little, will give a consolation ticket for the Europa League, the younger sister of the Champions League. The Milan season has been and will remain semi-folly, the current ninth in the championship is humiliating. I pass through the Scudetto, for the fact that the team has never ran to win it, but it is unforgivable that a club like Milan will remain outside the Champions League. If you want to count, you must be there, also to feed a virtuous economy. The Italian Cup, in the event, will be a patch and a calming, will allow Sergio Conceiçao to greet with two titles – he has already won the Super Cup – and to say that he all in all made him, a personal content. This derby is crucial for the fans because Milan can break the Triplete dell’Ater’s aims. It is not a little, the rivalry is strong, but the “Mors your life mea” is a downward game, the expectations of the Milan players were others. Tonight’s derby can take the year a little or make it disastrous. If it went well, there would be to face the final, at 99.99 percent against Bologna, an indigestible opponent, suffered in the championship, as shown by the defeat at Dall’Ara. If it goes wrong, the shipwreck would be total and mortifying.

tactics

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Quinto derby Seasonal and the balance of the previous four episodes is surprising: two victories of Milan, on the outward journey in the championship and in Super Cup in Riad, and two draws, in the return to Serie A and in the first lap of the Italian Cup semifinals. This year’s little Milan is the weak point of the great Inter who wants everything. Moreover, in September the Milanese derby came from an impressive strip of Inter successes, seven Nerazzurri wins in the eight previous face to face. This will be the first derby with not too dissimilar tactical systems. Inter defense, as in the classic 3-5-2 of Inzaghi. AC Milan defense, given that, in recent times, Conceiçao has turned on 3-4-3. The new AC Milan system worked in Udine, a great 4-0 victory, and stood out at the first serious test, at Easter against Atalanta, 0-1 at San Siro. Tonight Inter will tell us where the truth is hidden on the 3-4-3 Milan player. At a first glance, it is evident that the problems for Milan can be born in midfield, due to 3 against 2 in the median: let’s imagine that Pulisic will have to lower to help his companions in the middle; Leao, on the other side, will do it less. We would not be surprised if Conceiçao returned to the defense at four, the starting point of the four seasonal derby, all positive.

defenses

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Inter in Bologna crossed the goal of the 50 games in the season, between the championship and various cups. The goals conceded were 41, for an average of 0.82 per match. Yann Sommeri Principe of the “Clean Sheet”: 20 times out of 43 he kept the inviolated door. In the Italian Cup, the goalkeeper is Josep Martinez, but little changes: just a goal on the rump, in the first leg of the semifinals. The Milan 2024-25 of matches has played so far 48 and of networks has collected 57, for an average of 1.18. The difference with Inter is not sensational, a 0.36 diversity dances. Inter built its watertight holding in the Champions League, just 5 goals taken in the 12 euros-meetings. In the championship, the Inzaghians are more perforable, 32 goals at the passive in 33 days. And in the four derby of 2024-25 the trend is more acute, Inter in the season has already undergone seven goals from the Rossoneri, not a few. AC Milan’s hope passes through this carelessness of the national borders, further demonstration of how the head of Inzaghi’s team is focused on the Champions League, perhaps the real goal of the Appiano’s locker room. After all Scudetto and national cups have already been won …

the attacks

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Inter without Marcus Thuram and with Lautaro Martinez forced to squeeze once more. AC Milan with Abraham, promoted center forward owner, and with Gimenez on the bench, last on the hierarchical scale, climbed over by Jovic. These are the training forecasts on the eve. The fact that Inzaghi does not save Lautaro suggests that he holds to the Italian Cup and that he wants to keep the Triplete’s dream alive. However, the choice lends itself to another reading: perhaps Inzaghi has no alternative, he cannot face such an important derby with a duo formed by Arnautovic and Correa or Taremi. Evaluation of the performance of the Inter points: Lautaro: exceptional; Thuram: Excellent; Arnautovic: good; Correa and Taremi: bad. Not that Milan can be said to be better: Pulisic: excellent performance; Leao: swinging; Abraham: growing; Jovic: resistant; Gimenez: indecipherable. The common stretch of Inter and Milan attacks is the imbalance, the wide altitude difference between owners and spare parts. Attention to the previous previous ones: Pulisic and Abraham, with two goals each, are the gunners of the four derby of 2024-25 and something will mean.