This is the tenth piece in our season-long survey of the big games this season in European football. Check out the FoxSoccer.com archive for past installments, and stay with the Fox family all season long for in-depth introductions to the clubs, the players, and the history of the European game for American readers.
For the first time in two years, the Milan derby between AC Milan and bitter rivals Internazionale has real meaning beyond the history and the passion (Sunday, 2:30 p.m. ET on FSC).
Not this season. AC Milan’s 3-1 win over Palermo on Wednesday took gave il Rossoneri (“The Red and Blacks,” after their striped shirts) sole possession of first place in Serie A for the first time in two years. This puts Italy’s reigning champions Inter Milan in an unusual spot as they are looking up at a club they have dominated in recent seasons.
Both teams enter this game with managers making their debut in the cauldron. Both teams are riven by major injuries, and both teams desperately need to show their fans they can win games of this magnitude.
Let’s back up for a second. The 100-year old Milan derby -- locally known as the derby della Madonnina, after an iconic local statue of the Virgin Mary -- is an unusual one in many respects. It’s one of three big intra-city competitions in the country (the other two would be in Roma and Turin) and so volatile that even the choice of referees for this game is hotly contested.
Adding to Inter’s woes is the fact that they lost Walter Samuel for the season on the weekend to a knee injury. Samuel is considered one of the best man-markers in the Italian game, and his partnership alongside Lucio has helped Inter’s defense cover up what has been at times an unconvincing midfield. One of the reasons might be that Dutch star Wesley Sneijder was forced to reveal that he suffers from anemia, causing him to pass out at halftime of Sunday’s game.
But AC Milan have big problems of their own. The seemingly ageless Filippo Inzaghi had been a sparkplug for the team, scoring critical goals and reminding fans of the glory days. Not only did he get hurt Wednesday in their 3-1 win over Palermo and will be lost for the season, but his career may be over. Also missing is Brazilian stud Pato, who cannot shake off a thigh injury, and thus denies Milan of his precious speed.
This game is what is referred to as a “six-pointer:” If Milan beat Inter, they stay clear and trim Inter Milan’s sails to boot. Inter can catch Milan with a win, but cannot pass, but badly want to snap that three game winless streak.
It’s anyone’s guess who will win at the San Siro, but this much is clear: The loser will have some very tough questions to answer.
Jamie Trecker is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the UEFA Champions League.
