For the derby with Milan, Brozovic’s recovery is almost impossible, in midfield with number 23 Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan with Darmian and Dimarco outside. Skriniar, Acerbi and Bastoni confirmed in defense, still ahead of Dzeko-Lautaro, but the bruised Big Rom should still leave
January 15 – Milan
Given the almost certain absences (Brozovic and Handanovic), the recoveries still in doubt (Lukaku) and the players who have just returned (Calhanoglu and Barella), Simone Inzaghi will leave for Riyadh this afternoon with fairly clear ideas regarding the formation to be deployed on Wednesday in the Italian Super Cup final against AC Milan.
The fixed point, very important, is the recovery of Barella who in the last segment of last night’s match against Hellas, demonstrated that he has recovered from the muscular problem that, after the away match in Monza, had kept him in the pits on Tuesday in the Cup Italy. Finding the moped of the Nerazzurri midfielder, who will form the central hinge with Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan, is the best possible news for the Piacenza coach. With the Sardinian back in his place, Inter have an edge in both phases.
RELAUNCH
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On Tuesday against Parma and yesterday against Verona, Skriniar and his teammates didn’t make a great impression either as a game or as a result. They won in both cases (Simone would sign for the trio, even at the cost of suffering like in the last 190′, including overtime), but on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia the opponent will be of a higher caliber than the two yellow-blue teams. Pioli is back from two disappointing draws and from elimination in the Italian Cup at the hands of Toro. In terms of quality, however, the Devil has a lot and the memory of the return derby of last season, a match in which Giroud overtook his cousins with a lightning brace, is still alive in Appiano Gentile. This is why Inzaghi will ask for maximum concentration and zero blackouts. He wants the third trophy of his adventure in Milan and, only by avoiding the defensive flaws that were also seen in 2023 against Monza and Parma, can he raise it. Returning to Italy with the Super Cup would allow us to have an edge in terms of morale for the hunt for Naples and to face the next rounds of the Italian Cup and the Champions League.
DEFENSE CONFIRMED
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However, this is not the time to think about the Scudetto or the resumption of the European cups. Now Inter just want to win the derby and give Zhang his fourth title of his era as president and owner. To attempt the feat, the former Lazio coach will rely on the same rearguard seen against Hellas or the trio Skriniar, Acerbi and Bastoni in front of Onana. De Vrij, who had been put in clear difficulty by the Frenchman in the derby match on 5 February last, will still sit on the bench.
HERE I COME BARE
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Already mentioned the fundamental return of Barella, ready to play as success against Napoli and Monza together with Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan, the midfield will be completed by wingers Darmian and Dimarco. Dumfries has returned from the World Cup tired, perhaps more mentally than physically, and is unable to train with the same intensity as in recent months. Are market rumors involved as well? Probable… So Darmian overtook him. In addition, United’s greater defensive ability and Parma can be very useful against Theo Hernandez. The Dutchman, on the other hand, will be useful once the match has begun, like Gosens. Nothing to do instead for Brozovic who, barring surprises, will not get on the direct flight to Riyadh this afternoon. The Croatian’s calf hasn’t healed yet and in the hope of having him on the bench against Empoli on Monday the 23rd against Empoli, he will stay at Pinetina to work.
LUKAKU Yes, BUT…
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In attack there are few doubts about the use of the Dzeko-Lautaro duo from 1′, with the former replaced yesterday in the middle of the second half to avoid squeezing him too much. Correa, caught again by the public for certain indolent and inconclusive attitudes, will be thrown into the fray only if necessary. And Lukaku? Everything suggests that, after training on Friday with his teammates, this morning he will work with those who haven’t faced Verona and then leave for Arabia. Inzaghi remained in doubt because, thanks to inflammation in his left knee, Big Rom missed a few sessions and his physical form is not ideal. However, even just for a part of the match, his size, his sense of goal and his motivations could come in handy. He doesn’t want to miss this derby, even if the… enemy Ibrahimovic won’t be there.
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January 15, 2023 (change January 15, 2023 | 10:43 am)
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