Serie A: All eyes on the Milan derby as AC and Inter collide
It was another thrilling round of Serie A action last weekend, but there was more disappointment for Juventus, as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Verona. However, it feels like it could be a pivotal weekend at the top of the table. We will focus all attention on the Milan derby on Sunday, as AC face Inter. Check out our preview below.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic brings up remarkable milestone as AC Milan silence Roma
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has an insatiable appetite for scoring. He was instrumental in the 2-1 victory away to Roma last weekend, as the Rossoneri dug deep to come away with all three points. Ibrahimovic was on target against Roma, and it brought up his 400th career league goal. It was also his 150th Serie A goal, making him the seventh non-Italian to achieve that feat.
Franck Kessie also got on the scoresheet, and it is the fourth time he has netted against the Giallorossi. But perhaps the most defining stat of the win was that it was AC Milan’s 15th away victory in a calendar year – only two other teams in Serie A history have managed that! They seem to be the real deal this season.
Simon Kjaer caps off great week with Man-of-the-Match display against Roma
Simon Kjaer enjoyed a fine personal week. Just days after putting pen to paper on a new contract renewal that will see him stay with the Rossoneri until 2024, the Danish defender put in a big display against Roma. Decisive and aggressive, he snuffed out danger, and his performance earned him the man-of-the-match award.
AC Milan snapping away at Napoli’s heels
This season’s title race has the makings of a classic. Milan are currently second in the Serie A table, level on points with Napoli, and only goal difference separating the pair. However, Milan will be keen to keep their foot on the accelerator, as defeat will let Inter back into the mix.
Inter Milan going about their business quietly
Maybe it is a good sign for Inter Milan that nobody is paying too much attention to them, and they have been able to slip under the radar. Although they are seven points behind bitter rivals AC, Inter kept back-to-back clean sheets in their last two games against Empoli and Udinese.
Inter facing huge couple of weeks
For Inter, we will know much more about their title chances in the next couple of weeks. Although it still seems too early to talk up or dismiss certain teams as title contenders, Inter’s next two league games are against Milan and Napoli. But against Udinese, they produce a polished display, and Joaquin Correa took the plaudits with a two-goal salvo.
However, Inter are mindful that things can all change very quickly. Three points against Milan, as mentioned before, is a must, otherwise, they will be playing catch up in the title race. And against teams of the ilk of Napoli and AC Milan, it could be hard to claw back a sizeable points deficit.
Meanwhile, former Inter boss Antonio Conte could be back in management sooner than he thinks. Tottenham sacked Nuno Santo on Monday in the wake of their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United last weekend, and Conte has reportedly flown to London for talks over the vacancy.
AC Milan v Inter: A tale of past clashes
The Milan derby always creates feverish excitement, and it is one of the biggest games in world football. And Inter will have fond memories of the last time they faced the Rossoneri as they cruised to a 3-0 victory back in February. A Lautaro Martinez double and a Romelu Lukaku strike highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides on that day.
Meanwhile, Inter are hoping to confirm a contract extension for Nico Barella. The midfielder – whose current deal runs out in 2024 – is ironing out a few final details with his representatives, but an announcement over him committing his long-term future to the club could be announced on Thursday.
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