How will Allegri approach the derby?
Last season, after a couple of nightmare years, Milan reclaimed control of the city rivalry. Fonseca started the positive run with a bold 4-2-3-1, Pulisic, Morata, Abraham and Leao all starting together. This attacking line pressed Inter’s buildup hard and shaped the series, which brought three wins for Milan in the derby, Serie A, Supercoppa final and Coppa Italia semifinal, plus two draws. Allegri will stay with the 3-5-2 or pull out something different.
Inter under Chivu is trying to change, but not much. The Romanian coach asks for a more direct and vertical approach, but the core principles of a structure Inter have refined year after year stay the same. They fill space well after their usual wall-pass patterns, the box is packed by the wingbacks for the trademark cross from side to side, and the forwards link up in tight areas before finishing from dangerous positions.
How do the two sides reach the derby. Inter, level with Roma at the top, lead the league despite losses to Udinese, Juventus and Napoli. Milan stay close despite slips against Cremonese, Pisa and Parma. Inter struggled in the two big matches they played so far, Milan went at them head-on. Chivu’s side overwhelms smaller opponents, Allegri’s side approaches them with a lighter focus. Inter have an excellent Champions League record, four wins from four, eleven goals scored and one conceded. Milan are not in Europe this season, as relayed via those at Milan News.
The ex Juventus head coach has deep experience, he will need to transmit his sense for timing and game control to his players. Regardless of formations and tactics, this often decides matches like this.
