Ten years ago, the players of Inter Milan and the city rival AC were at the top not only among Italian clubs, but also in Europe. After the triumphs in the Italian league in 2010 and 2011, however, both Milan clubs dropped out of the Italian top and did not return to it until the previous season. The revived teams will play in the already 226th derby “della Madonnina” in Saturday in the 4th league round.
The match has one big attraction. AC Zlatan Ibrahimović, a 39-year-old striker, is returning to the pitch after a covid-19 illness. “See you,” lured fans on twitter.
Former long-time Inter striker Christian Vieri, who, like Ibrahimović, has played for both famous clubs in the past, is also looking forward to the return of the biggest AC star before the derby.
“Milan could not have met anything better than Zlatan’s return, the young team got its leader back. When he says that covid caught Zlatan and not Zlatan’s, and that covid had the wrong idea to challenge him, he is mentally stronger than anyone else.” said the former Italian representative of Gazetta dello Sport.
“I believe it won’t stop him. He showed his strength last season and will confirm it even after illness. I dare say that he will score more than twenty goals in the season. In addition, it will give the whole team confidence, increase the quality of each player, thanks to it will be better and the whole of Milan, “ added Vieri.
Even though only a thousand spectators will be able to play for the 8,000-strong San Siro Stadium, the derby will bring a big battle due to the current form of both teams. AC Milan has not lost in 19 competitive duels and won twelve consecutive matches with friendly matches. Inter lost only one of the last 15 competition duels, which was the final of the European League with Seville (2: 3).
“It’s no coincidence that we didn’t lose that long. When the league was interrupted in March, we worked hard.” AC Milan defender Theo Hernández pointed out that his team suffered the last loss on March 8 with FC Genoa (1: 2).
Inter last lost in the league derby in January 2016. Since then, he has won five times and drawn three times. “Yes, I know we have lost the last four derbies, but this year we are much stronger, everything will be different. We are calm, even though we know that we will not have an ordinary match,” added 25-year-old French defender Hernandez.
Both teams will have to do without coronavirus-infected players. Ashley Young, Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Škriniar, Radja Nainggolan, Roberto Gagliardini and Ionut Radu, AC, Léo Duarte and Matteo Gabbia will be missing.
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