Vitiello: ‘The obligation to try’ – Milan derby ‘crucial but not decisive’ for two reasons

The upcoming Derby della Madonnina between AC Milan and Inter is a key moment early in the season, but will not decide the title.

That is according to Antonio Vitiello, who published his weekly column for MilanNews. In it he previewed the upcoming match between Chivu’s table-topping Inter side and Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan, who are in third and are two points behind.

After 11 games it is still too early to paint a decisive picture, but observing the head-to-head clashes among the top six in the standings (the European spots, in effect), we can begin to discern a trend where the Rossoneri are gaining an edge.

Milan have won three, drawn one and lost zero of their four ‘direct clashes’. The wins were over Napoli, Roma and Bologna. The draw was against Juventus, and they have conceded just one goal from a De Bruyne penalty. Inter meanwhile beat Roma but lost to Juventus and Napoli.

Vitiello’s words

“We’re in that week. The break is finally over, and the Milan derby is looming on the horizon. Sunday evening at San Siro, the first-placed team against the second-placed team, is always a fascinating and highly anticipated match in these parts,” Vitiello said.

“The Rossoneri are close to recovering key players; today (Tuesday, November 18), after a month’s absence, Adrien Rabiot is expected to return to the group for this afternoon’s training session.

“This is a crucial recovery, as there’s a Milan side with Rabiot and a Milan side without the Frenchman. The numbers speak for themselves. He’ll also be joined by Pulisic, another player the Rossoneri have sorely missed, and there’s also a possibility of Santi Gimenez.

Photos: Marco Luzzani + Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

“Furthermore, Ardon Jahari is improving his fitness significantly, and who knows, maybe between the derby and the next match against Lazio, he’ll be able to start playing competitive matches after the friendly against Virtus Entella, where he thanked Allegri for waiting for him and organising the match for him.

“The derby is crucial but not decisive for two reasons. The first concerns the date on the calendar. It’s still November, and things can’t be finalised yet. But it’s crucial because a Milan win or draw would leave the two teams tied within a few points.

“A defeat, however, would see the Rossoneri drop to five points behind, opening up a significant gap with the top of the table for the first time. Milan, by all accounts, isn’t equipped to win the title yet, but when you wear the Rossoneri shirt, you can’t back down. The obligation to try is in this club’s DNA. Listen to Modric’s words in case you need to.”