Saturday 22 December 2007

[Derby della Madonnina] Inter v Milan

The two Milan sides have both been paired with English opponents in the Champions League last 16 on Friday but their minds will be only on domestic duties on Sunday afternoon in the latest Derby della Madonnina.

Inter, who will face Liverpool in Europe, are still unbeaten in Serie A having won 12 of their 16 games and hold a four-point lead over second-placed Roma.

Meanwhile Milan, set to take on Arsenal in defence of their continental title, are back in Italy fresh from lifting the FIFA Club World Cup in Yokohama but have not won a single domestic match at the San Siro this season, leaving them 22 points adrift of Inter.


They most recently lost a Coppa Italia last 16 first-leg game 2-1 at home to Catania on Thursday.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini said: "We will think about Liverpool later on, especially because before that there is the derby, a game between two sides jam-packed with great champions. It will be a beautiful match even though the derby is always a very peculiar game. The San Siro will be packed and both sides will give their very best to win."

Mancini is still without Patrick Vieira, Oliver Dacourt, Dejan Stankovic and Luis Figo in midfield, while Carlo Ancelotti is missing former Inter striker Ronaldo, who is still out of action with a calf injury.

Ancelotti said: "Inter are a very strong side but Milan will approach the derby in the best possible way. This game is very important for several reasons. First of all we want to beat the team who have dominated the Italian scene in the last two years. Meanwhile Inter hope to beat the champions of the world. It will be a massive game."

Source: UEFA

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