Massimiliano Allegri is working on the tactical plan to take three points in the derby and pass Inter in the table. With Rabiot and Pulisic back, he no longer has the stripped squad he had before the last break, when he had no real options. The break went smoothly for him because none of the twelve internationals brought bad news, so he is now focused on putting aside the slip in Parma that let Roma and Inter move two points ahead. A derby win would reset the situation. Every detail will matter.
Allegri's Milan reference points
In attack, the favourites to start are Leao and Pulisic. Rafa should play as the striker. He will attack depth with long runs, use his speed on direct balls, and drift left, his preferred lane. He dislikes receiving the ball with his back to goal, and the team will aim to give him the right conditions to show his full output. Rabiot will also be back in midfield. Adrien has not scored since arriving at Milanello and hopes to end the drought against Inter. In thirteen meetings with them, all as a Juventus player, he scored once on 6 November 2022 in a 2-0 win. With Rabiot on the pitch in league and Coppa Italia, Milan have four wins and one draw. His absence against Pisa and Parma was clear. Without him the team loses control and balance in midfield. He will be needed in a demanding December with the Coppa Italia round of sixteen and the Supercoppa Final Four.
Chivu’s Inter press high to recover the ball in dangerous zones, as seen in the first goal against Lazio. They block the opponent’s build-up and force long balls. Against a Milan without a natural striker but with Leao, who is not strong in protecting the ball and lifting the team, the pressure will likely be even heavier. Allegri will ask for quicker circulation and frequent switches of play. The goal is to launch Saelemaekers and Bartesaghi, or Estupinan, and also Pavlovic, who pushes forward well. The aim is to avoid being pinned back as happened in the first half hour against Roma. Mistakes made against Roma cannot repeat against Chivu’s team because Lautaro and Thuram punish lapses, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
The anti-Calhanoglu
Milan are unlikely to change their identity and press high. They will not do it for sustained stretches because they risk opening up and leaving too much space. Allegri still must avoid letting Inter dictate rhythm. When Calhanoglu drops to organise, with Bastoni pulling wide left and Akanji wide right, he will be challenged. A midfielder will step out to press him. Milan will not go man-to-man like Gasperini. Transitions will remain the main weapon, but Allegri might take a small extra risk. On the wings, without Dumfries, special focus will be on Dimarco. Saelemaekers will need to track him. When Bastoni and Barella overload the left, Fofana and Pulisic will also need to work without the ball.
