[Rossoneri7]

It’s the Milanese derby on Sunday. Antonio Labbate explains why we should all transform into Milan fans for 90 minutes

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If you aren’t one already – and not an Inter sympathiser – then we should all become Milan supporters for an afternoon on Sunday. It may be tough for some of you, considered as an act of adultery by others, but if you don’t want the Nerazzurri to have the title wrapped up for Christmas then Serie A needs the Rossoneri to deliver come Derby Day.

Milan owe Italian football such a gift. After reducing the importance of their domestic commitments over the last two seasons by openly admitting that finishing in the top four was good enough, it’s time that the Italian giants added a bit of substance to their tag as European and world champions. After all, they’re arguably not even the best team in Milan at the minute…

It’s going to take some effort though for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Morale must surely be at its peak again following their 4-2 win against Boca Juniors, but it remains to be seen just how much energy would have been lost on the plane home from Japan earlier this week.

One also can’t ignore the fact that their Serie A form has been remarkably shaky. They’ve collected just 18 points from 13 games and are without a home League win this term. Perhaps fortunately, they will be the away side at the weekend.

Inter have been unquestionably the team of the season so far. Despite a host of injuries which would have struck down lesser sides, the Nerazzurri juggernaut rolls on. The expected victory over Cagliari on Sunday night increased their lead at the top of the table to seven points over Roma, a team whose lack of consistency presently makes them a more dangerous Cup team than Serie A threat.

Things have become so easy for Roberto Mancini’s men of late that he’s even been able to rest star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic more frequently than even he expected. The tactician is also winning the psychological battle against his top-flight counterparts by successfully experimenting with a trident attack that illustrates not only their supremacy, but also their confidence.

Ibra will return to the starting line-up at the Meazza when he’ll take part in a personal duel of greatness against Milan diamond Kaka. It has the potential to be some game, a footballing classic, but an encounter which could potentially kill or revive the Italian championship.

Football Italia

[dst]

Milan owe Italian football such a gift. After reducing the importance of their domestic commitments over the last two seasons by openly admitting that finishing in the top four was good enough, it’s time that the Italian giants added a bit of substance to their tag as European and world champions. After all, they’re arguably not even the best team in Milan at the minute…

Exactly! We might be European and World champions at the moment but losing the third derby in a row would not only disappoint us but also downgrade the weight of these two tags...