GdS: The five reasons Milan have found joy from this season’s derbies vs. Inter

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·2 aprile 2025

GdS: The five reasons Milan have found joy from this season’s derbies vs. Inter

They often say that derbies defy all logic, and that has certainly been the case in the games between AC Milan and Inter so far this season.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, when Inter are not playing Milan they have averaged 2.43 points per game this season. Against Milan, they are at one point in three games: an average of 0.33. There must be something to it, and they have looked at five reasons.

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The two strikers

With Fonseca and Conceiçao, Milan played different games: more aggressive with the first Portuguese, more defensive with his replacement. In three games out of three, however, they deserved to win or draw, they played well, they had long periods in which they put Simone Inzaghi in difficulty.

The first zoom is on the two strikers. Fonseca used them from the start in the first leg of the derby, Conceiçao at the end of the final in Riyadh and yes, twice out of two it worked. At Milan, Sergio never switched to the 4-4-2 that he used at Porto, and it isn’t expected tonight either.

If Milan need to score, however, watch out for the attacking pair: Tammy Abraham plus Santiago Gimenez or Luka Jovic with one of the two. Jovic’s Italian history speaks clearly: he played his best games next to Giroud.

Deep defence

In the league match on February 2, Milan played very deep, almost closing up shop in front of Mike Maignan. The average defensive line height was 47 metres for that game, like how one of the relegation-battling sides might approach a match against a title challenger.

On average, they recovered the ball just outside their area, 27 metres from Maignan. Against Inter it can work because Inzaghi is very good at organising the possession phase, escaping the pressure and sending his midfielders into the spaces created.

Stefano Pioli can testify that playing a high line or even looking to attack in numbers can end badly. If Milan drop deep and close up they ask more questions. Prediction: we will see a compact Milan this time too.

Pulisic’s central role

In the first league derby, Pulisic took the ball in the midfield, in a central area, and started dribbling. Calhanoglu did not catch him, neither did Acerbi and Pavard did not arrive in time: 1-0 Milan.

Pulisic is expected again in those areas of the pitch – as an attacking midfielder, not right winger – because Conceiçao believes that he can be more of a nuisance to Inter there. And probably because the American, who sprinted in Riyadh even in the 95th minute, now has less in the tank.

Photo ACMilan.com

Counter-attacks

Inter in the last two months have conceded more than one goal from coughing up possession, and the February derby leaves images of a Milan that counters quickly, trying to hurt in transition with Leao, Theo Hernandez and Reijnders.

Conceiçao will try again and the formation leaves clues in this direction. The best counter-attacking player plays: Leao. His partner in crime plays: Theo. A fearless (and sometimes conscienceless) attacker like Alex Jimenez plays. Pulisic obviously plays. If they accelerate, they will be a great nuisance.

The midfield star

For some reason, Tijjani Reijnders is much more effective against Inter this year. In the derbies under Pioli he was more subdued, raising questions about his levels in big games, but in 2024-25 he is giving Inzaghi a headache.

In the first leg of the derby, he served a great vertical ball to Tammy Abraham: a chance created behind Acerbi and a shot just wide. In Riyadh, he had a chance very early and a giant opportunity in the 15th minute.

In the last match, he almost hit the top corner with a shot from the edge and scored by attacking the area on the counter. Those images have it all: a key pass, a shot from range and a run into a dangerous place.

This time, he should play alongside his old partner Fofana in the middle of the field, because with Reijnders it seems that it doesn’t matter where he starts, what matters is where he ends up.