Overview
The 0-1 defeat to Parma recently ended AC Milan's 24-match unbeaten streak in Serie A. However, Rossoneri avoided the next stumble in the weekend round when they came back against Cremonese - the team that defeated them in the first leg.
Cremonese unexpectedly took the lead at San Siro, but 2 late goals from Strahinja Pavlovic and Rafael Leao helped Milan reverse the situation, thereby avoiding the risk of being extended the gap to 12 points by the leading team Inter Milan.
Previously, coach Massimiliano Allegri's team also faced many difficulties when they had to rely on a goal in the last minute to defeat Pisa, before being held to a draw by Como at home. Unstable results make it increasingly difficult for them to keep up with Inter in the championship race.
Although only losing 2 matches in Serie A this season, Milan drew 8 matches. Meanwhile, Inter, although losing 4 matches, still far ahead of the opponent thanks to more wins, thereby creating a 10-point gap in the standings.
Milan's home form is also not really convincing as they have only won one of their last four matches at San Siro, that victory also came from a late goal against Lecce in mid-January.
However, Rossoneri can be confident when entering the Milan derby. In the last six encounters in all competitions, they have won four and lost no match against Inter, including a 1-0 victory in the first leg of Serie A this season.
If they continue to win, Milan will for the first time complete a double against Inter in Serie A since 2011 - Allegri's early successful period at San Siro.
On the other side, Inter Milan certainly has other plans. Coach Cristian Chivu's team is unbeaten in Serie A since the end of November, after a 0-1 defeat to Milan.
In that match, former Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu missed a penalty when Mike Maignan saved it. However, Inter then responded with a 15-match unbeaten streak in the league.
The 2-0 victory over Genoa last week helped Nerazzurri extend their Serie A winning streak to eight and continue to consolidate their leading position. Inter is currently the team with the most goals in the league, 21 more than Milan. They are also the team that best utilizes set pieces with 21 goals, including 15 goals from corner kicks - the most in Serie A.
Conversely, Milan revealed weaknesses in dead-ball defense when half of their goals conceded came from set pieces, including 25% from corner kicks.
In the middle of last week, Inter continued their journey to conquer a domestic double when they drew with Como 0-0 in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals. This result gives them an advantage before the second leg at home next month.
Although considered the away team in this weekend's derby, Inter is still very confident. They have won all 9 recent away matches in Serie A and kept a clean sheet in 6 recent matches.
If they continue to win at San Siro, Inter will set a record of 10 consecutive away wins in Serie A - a rare achievement in the history of the league.
Another victory could also help Nerazzurri widen the gap with Milan to 13 points, creating an almost irreparable advantage when the season is only 10 rounds left.
Expected lineup:
AC Milan: Maignan, Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi, Pulisic, Leao.
Inter Milan: Sommer, Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni, Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco, Thuram, Esposito.
The match between AC Milan and Inter takes place at 2:45 am on March 9 (Vietnam time).
