Milan v Inter preview: Amorim's side unbeaten in seven derbies, Inter top without Lautaro
Inter go into Saturday's Milan derby joint top of Serie A on 25 points but without captain Lautaro Martínez. Milan are seven points back after losing 4-2 to Bologna, are missing Tomori, and have not lost any of their last seven derbies.
The Derby della Madonnina is on Saturday 31 October at 20:45 CET (19:45 UK / 03:45 Sunday Beijing) at San Siro. It is the 243rd meeting between the two clubs: Inter have won 88, Milan 83.
Where the teams are
| Milan | Inter | |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 18 from nine games | 25 from nine games |
| Position | 5th | Joint top (with Lazio) |
| Last game | Lost 2-4 at home to Bologna | Won 2-0 at Venezia |
| Coach | Ruben Amorim | Cristian Chivu |
Milan were unbeaten in the league until Wednesday, when Mbangula's hat-trick gave Bologna a 4-2 win at San Siro — see Genoa 2-0 Juventus, Milan 2-4 Bologna. It was the first time Milan had conceded four at home in nearly four years.
Inter needed two late own goals to win in Venice, but they have kept winning. Their start is described as their best at this stage of a Serie A season this century.
The derby record
- Milan are unbeaten in their last seven derbies.
- They won both league derbies last season 1-0, with goals from Christian Pulisic and Pervis Estupiñán — their first Serie A double over Inter since 2011.
- Milan have won three of the last four Serie A meetings, with one draw.
- Inter still went on to win last season's title.
Team news
Milan
- Out: Fikayo Tomori (torn thigh muscle, picked up against Bologna), Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers, Samuel Chukwueze.
- Back: Adrien Rabiot, Mario Gila and Diego Moreira are available again after short absences.
- Likely to return: Luka Modrić and Christian Pulisic, both rested in midweek.
Inter
- Out: captain Lautaro Martínez (flexor problem), Benjamin Pavard, John Stones, Curtis Jones, Luis Henrique.
- Could return: Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
Without Lautaro, more of Inter's goal threat falls elsewhere. Carlos Augusto has six goal involvements this season.
Key numbers
| Stat | |
|---|---|
| Inter league games in a row with a goal | 19, the longest current run in Serie A |
| Inter comebacks this season | Behind first in their last three league games, and won all three |
| Milan home form | Lost four of their last eight Serie A home games |
| Alphadjo Cissé | Two goals v Bologna, plus a Europa League hat-trick this season |
Three things to watch
1. Milan's defence without Tomori. Four goals conceded to Bologna, and now a key centre-back is out.
2. Inter without Lautaro. Inter keep scoring, but their captain is their reference point in big games.
3. The derby pattern. Milan's recent derby record is excellent, even in a season where Inter won the league.
FAQ
What time is Milan v Inter? Saturday 31 October at 20:45 CET, which is 19:45 in the UK and 03:45 on Sunday in Beijing.
Is Lautaro Martínez playing in the derby? No. Inter's captain is out with a flexor problem.
When did Inter last beat Milan? Milan are unbeaten in the last seven derbies and won both league derbies last season 1-0.
Who are the coaches? Ruben Amorim coaches Milan and Cristian Chivu coaches Inter.
