Roberto Mancini couldn't have picked a better game to start his second spell in charge of Inter than the derby with Filippo Inzaghi's, AC Milan.
Mancini takes over an Inter side who currently sit ninth in Serie A after an inconsistent start to the season. They picked up eight points from their first four games before suffering heavy losses to Cagliari and Fiorentina. They got back to form with seven points from their next three before losing away to struggling Parma and being held at home to Hellas Verona. The draw with Hellas Verona was the final act for previous manager Walter Mazzarri who was finally sacked after weeks of speculation.
Mancini has inherited some talented players with established internationals like Samir Handanovic, Gary Medel, Nemanja Vidic, Hernanes, Fredy Guarin and Andrea Ranocchia lining up alongside talented young stars like Juan Jesus, Mateo Kovacic, Dodo and Mauro Icardi. There is enough talent in the squad but it will take Mancini a while to put his own mark on the team and close the gap on Juventus and Roma.
Gary Medel will not be available after being sent off last time out and Jonathan has not made the match day squad but Danilo D’Ambrosio, Hugo Campagnaro, Yuto Nagatomo and Yann M’Vila are all available after being injured. Inter have lined up in a 3-5-2 formation this year but it is expected that Mancini will change that and has been using a 4-3-1-2 in training.
AC Milan find themselves seventh in Serie A, just one point ahead of their city rivals. Inzaghi has got them playing exciting football and they are the third highest scorers in the league but they have been poor defensively. Their eleven games have saw thirty-six goals which is second only to games involving Parma.
Milan have only lost twice this season but they have drawn too many games. They are currently on a run of four games without a win but three of those were draws. Both of their defeats came at the San Siro, to Juventus and Palermo.
Milan have a few issues with injuries and suspensions, particularly in defensive positions. Daniele Bonera is suspended and Nigel de Jong, Alex and Christian Abate will miss the game due to injury.
The Rossoneri will be relying on the excellent attacking trio of Keisuke Honda, Jeremy Menez and Stephan El Shaarawy. They have eleven goals and six assists between them and if Inter's defence shows any signs of weakness they will exploit it.
Both Milan clubs will believe they should be regulars in the Champions League and it will always be the minimum requirement for any manager who takes on the jobs. Juventus and Roma look to have two of the spots sewn up and the Milan sides are currently four and five points behind Napoli in third. At this stage of the season that gap can be closed but they won't want to fall further behind and this game will play a big part as both sides look to return to past glories.
Probable Teams
AC Milan - Lopez; Zapata, Rami, Mexes, De Sciglio; Bonaventura, Essien, Muntari; Honda, Menez, El Shaarawy.
Internazionale - Handanovic; Nagatomo, Ranocchia, Jesus, Dodo; Guarin, M'Vila, Hernanes; Kovacic; Icardi, Palacio.