AC Milan vs. Inter Milan | Serie A | Pre Match

A month on from their five-goal thriller in Saudi Arabia, Serie A giants AC Milan and Inter Milan will meet for a more conventional Derby della Madonnina on Sunday. This fixture, one of the most iconic in world football, carries significant weight for both teams, with Inter needing points to aid their defense of the Scudetto, while Milan aim to secure their third derby victory of the season and reclaim some ground in the Serie A standings. The anticipation surrounding the clash at San Siro is immense, as fans brace for yet another dramatic encounter between these storied rivals.

Since a 2-1 league victory in September, when Matteo Gabbia's late winner ended a long losing streak against Inter, Milan have struggled to keep pace with their city counterparts. Their current deficit stands at 16 points, a considerable gap that reflects their inconsistency throughout the campaign. However, despite their fluctuating performances, the Rossoneri managed to spoil Inter's dreams of a quadruple by staging a remarkable comeback in the recent Supercoppa Italiana final. That night in Riyadh saw Milan overturn a two-goal deficit to snatch victory in the dying moments, with Tammy Abraham’s last-gasp strike sealing the win. That triumph meant Milan had won consecutive derbies across all competitions for the first time in years, a psychological edge that they will seek to capitalize on this Sunday.

Results have been mixed for Milan since that success, which came within a week of Sergio Conceicao's appointment as head coach. The Portuguese tactician, who arrived with high expectations, has experienced both highs and lows in his early tenure. A 2-0 defeat to Juventus in Turin marked his first real setback, a match that exposed some of Milan’s vulnerabilities in transition and defensive organization. However, they responded well by defeating Girona in the Champions League, a result that reinforced their European ambitions. Domestically, they showed character in last weekend’s thrilling 3-2 win over Parma, coming from behind twice before Tijjani Reijnders and Samuel Chukwueze struck in stoppage time. Those moments of resilience have become a hallmark of Conceicao’s side, though they will need a more controlled and consistent display against their bitter rivals.

Despite their fighting spirit, Milan’s European campaign took a hit on Wednesday when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb. That loss, compounded by a red card in the second half, saw them slip out of the top eight in the Champions League standings. Now facing a crucial playoff against Feyenoord, Milan must refocus quickly. Conceicao, who made 41 Serie A appearances for Inter during his playing days, will be determined to lead Milan to another derby victory, knowing that a win could reignite their push for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. If he achieves the feat, he will become only the second Rossoneri boss in 35 years to win his first two derbies, a testament to his growing influence at the club.

While Milan’s European hopes hang in the balance, Inter enter the derby on a high after a commanding 3-0 win over Monaco in midweek. That result ensured their safe passage into the knockout rounds of the Champions League, a testament to their consistency under Simone Inzaghi. Leading the charge was captain Lautaro Martinez, who netted a superb hat-trick, continuing his return to form after an early-season dip. The Argentine also found the net in last weekend’s 4-0 demolition of Lecce, a performance that reaffirmed Inter’s title credentials. That victory kept the Nerazzurri within three points of relentless league leaders Napoli, who continue to set the pace at the top of Serie A. With Atalanta now trailing behind, the race for the Scudetto appears to be a two-horse contest between Napoli and Inter, adding extra importance to this derby showdown.

Inter’s attacking potency has been one of their standout qualities this season, with the team registering 55 goals in Serie A—more than any other side at this stage of a campaign since 1961. Their forward line, spearheaded by Martinez and Marcus Thuram, has been particularly lethal, while midfielders like Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have chipped in with crucial contributions. Defensively, Inter have been just as impressive, boasting the best record in the league. They have kept a clean sheet in their last seven away matches in Serie A, an extraordinary streak that has seen them outscore opponents by an aggregate score of 23-0. If they manage another shutout on Sunday, they will match Milan’s national record of eight consecutive clean sheets away from home, a record set back in March 1994.

As for team news, Milan’s defensive reshuffle continues, with the recent arrival of Kyle Walker from Manchester City offering a potential solution at right-back. Whether the England international is thrown into the intensity of a Milan derby remains to be seen, but his experience and defensive solidity could be invaluable. His inclusion might be necessary, given that Emerson Royal is sidelined with injury and club captain Davide Calabria recently had a public falling-out with Conceicao. Fikayo Tomori was deployed in an unorthodox right-back role on Wednesday, though a more natural solution will be preferred for the derby. Elsewhere, Milan will be without suspended midfield anchor Youssouf Fofana, while Alvaro Morata’s future remains uncertain amid transfer speculation. Malick Thiaw, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and long-term absentee Alessandro Florenzi are also ruled out, further limiting Conceicao’s options.

Inter’s squad concerns are less pronounced, though key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is a doubt due to a calf problem, while veteran defender Francesco Acerbi is nursing a hamstring issue. Joaquin Correa is the only confirmed absentee for the Nerazzurri, with the rest of the squad available for selection. Given Inzaghi’s tendency to stick with a settled lineup, few changes are expected from the team that dismantled Monaco. Martinez will lead the line alongside Thuram, with the in-form Argentine eager to add to his tally. Should he score, he will become the third Inter player to reach 10 goals against Milan in all competitions, joining an elite group in the club’s history. On the right flank, Denzel Dumfries will be another key threat, having found the net in each of his last three league appearances.

The stakes could not be higher for both teams heading into Sunday’s clash. For Milan, a victory would not only extend their derby dominance but also inject fresh momentum into their season, strengthening their top-four aspirations. For Inter, the match represents a crucial hurdle in their pursuit of back-to-back league titles, with the pressure mounting as they seek to keep pace with Napoli. With so much on the line and emotions running high, the latest installment of the Derby della Madonnina promises to be yet another enthralling chapter in the storied rivalry between these two Italian giants.