Match Preview: Milan Renew Hostilities With Rivals Inter in First Derby Della Madonnina Meeting of the Season

• The first Derby della Madonnina meeting of the season pits together the last two champions of Italy, as Scudetto-holders Milan tackle an Inter Milan side they deposed as champions of Calcio in May
• Milan and Inter cross swords with each other for the 177th time in the history of the Italian Serie A
• The two city giants assemble at the fabled Stadio San Siro, with the Nerazzurri a point ahead of their oldest rivals in the early Serie A standings

AC Milan will reignite their age-old rivalry with crosstown rivals Inter Milan in the first Derby della Madonnina meeting of the season this Saturday.

The game marks AC Milan's first litmus test to their title defence while Inter is faced with the unpalatable second stern test of the season as the two giants in Milan collide for the umpteenth time.

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The Milan clubs went neck and neck for the Scudetto last season but it was the Rossoneri who had the last laugh as Inter watched their adversaries clinch their 19th Scudetto - equalling Inter's feat.

Milan manager Stefano Pioli is unfazed by his team's slow start to the season suggesting that what happens on the pitch that matters.

“It doesn’t matter how you arrive at certain matches, but how you play on the day. We have prepared ourselves at our best.” Pioli said in his pre-match press conference.

Simone Inzaghi, Inter coach, was excited about his side's swift reaction following the chastening loss to Lazio last weekend.

“It was an important match. We went into the game on the back of three days where, in my opinion, there had been too much talk about the match in Rome. I wanted to see a reaction and I got one; we produced a professional performance against a team that has picked up fewer points than they’ve deserved so far.”

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Team News

AC Milan

Milan gaffer Stefano Pioli will be unable to call upon the services of veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been sidelined for several months following knee surgery.

Aside from Zlatan, there are also concerns regarding Rade Krunic and Ante Rebic.

Davide Calabria returns at right-back while new loan signing Sergino Dest is not ready to start yet.

Summer signing Divock Origi is back to fitness and could feature in the derby.

Inter Milan

Inter will be without returnee Romelu Lukaku, who continues to struggle with a thigh problem. Meaning Edin Dzeko and Joaquin Correa, therefore, battle it out to partner red-hot striker Lautaro Martinez.

Former Man United and Roma attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan is fully recovered and will be in contention for a place in midfield.

Probable Lineup:

Players to watch

Poster boy Rafael Leao will be tasked to undo the defence of Inter while Frenchman Giroud is expected to spearhead the attack of Milan's pursuit of derby success.

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De Ketelaere's creativity will prove crucial as Milan bids to bounce back to winning ways.

On the other side of the divide, Lautaro Martinez, who has been directly involved in four goals in four games (3 goals, 1 assist) will be the danger man for Inter as they seek to continue their winning tangent.

Nicolo Barella would have to step up to stake a claim for himself as one of the best midfielders in the Serie A.