The Derby della Madonnina will take centre stage in the peninsula on Saturday, as Inter and A.C. Milan meet in the first half of the season's curtain call.
It has been a difficult campaign so far for Max Allegri and his Milan side. Despite being unbeaten in all competitions since their defeat at the hands of Barcelona in November, the Rossoneri find themselves just six points clear of the relegation zone, and an incredible twenty-four points behind league leaders, Juventus. This run of form has sparked speculation that Clarence Seedorf could replace Allegri in the Milan hotseat in the summer.
In his pre-match press conference, Allegri brandished talk regarding his future ahead of the derby as "pointless":
"Talk about my future ahead of a game of this magnitude is pointless. It is something that I don't want to discuss. I am hopeful that the squad will not be distracted by this talk, and instead focus on the task at hand. We need to climb up the table, progress in the UEFA Champions League and reach the Coppa Italia final."
"We will have some of our players back from injury after Christmas, and I think this will help us climb the Serie A table."
Allegri also took the time to praise Inter, who he feels are having a very good season under new manager, Walter Mazzarri. The Milan manager also stated his side will have to be at their best to beat the Nerazzurri:
"Inter have enjoyed a great season so far. It'll be a very difficult game, as Inter are a determined and experienced side. We'll have to play well."
"We will probably not win tomorrow if we play the way we did against Roma last week. We made too many mistakes in that game."
Ahead of his first Derby della Madonnina, Inter manager, Walter Mazzarri, has stated that he is aware of the fact that a win on Sunday night is worth more than just three points:
"Rationally, the derby is worth three points like any other game, but we realise the difference in this game's importance because of the fans."
"Victory tomorrow would give us a big confidence boost for the rest of the campaign. If we do not record a positive result however, there will be a few things to work on in order to prepare for the upcoming games."
Mazzarri has asked for a performance similar to their performance last week in the 4-2 defeat to Napoli, but with much more focus:
"I would like to see my team play the way they did against Napoli every week, however with more concentration when defending counter attacks."
"I'd like concentration in defence and aggression when we are going forward."
"I also ask for the players to play with heart, but without forgetting that if things are done well, a positive result is more likely. Effort and aggression is not enough, you need to play good football as well."
Team News
AC Milan: Abbiati, Coppola, Gabriel, Bonera, Constant, De Sciglio, Mexes, Zaccardo, Zapata, Cristante, Emanuelson, De Jong, Kakà, Muntari, Nocerino, Poli, Saponara, Balotelli, Matri, Pazzini.
Inter: Handanovic, Carrizo, Castellazzi; Jonathan, Zanetti, Juan Jesus, Andreolli, Campagnaro, Wallace, Ranocchia, Samuel, Pereira, Rolando, Nagatomo; Kovacic, Guarin, Mudingayi, Kuzmanovic, Cambiasso, Taider; Belfodil, Palacio, Icardi.