Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri expects Mario Balotelli to rise above a hostile reception from the Inter fans and play a key role in the second San Siro derby of the Serie A season tonight.
On his return to Italy, Balotelli said he would celebrate in front of Nerazzurri supporters should he score in the derby, despite the fact he played in black and blue for the best part of four years.
Resentful Inter fans have vowed to do everything they can to distract their former player as he looks to score his fifth goal in four games and pull Milan four points clear of Inter in the race for a Champions League spot.
Allegri said: “Mario knows exactly what kind of atmosphere awaits him. He will be targeted by our opponents.
“It will be a test of his maturity because he must concentrate only on his football and using his instincts.”
Both Milan clubs registered confidence-boosting wins in Europe during the week but the Rossoneri arguably have more reason to be cheerful than Inter, who beat Cluj 3-0 in the Europa League.
Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari got the San Siro bouncing as Milan shocked Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie and Allegri hopes that adrenaline rush carries through the 90 minutes of the derby.
“It was a wonderful night,” he added.
“Full credit to the lads who played a great game. We gave ourselves a small advantage that will allow us to go to the Nou Camp with more of a chance than we had before. But now we have the derby which is much more important.
“We’ve lost three derbies in a row and we need to get a result to leave them behind us.”
Inter were in disarray as Fiorentina strolled to a 4-1 win last time out but coach Andrea Stramaccioni is optimistic a resolute display in Romania will restore confidence to his players.
He said: “We go out onto the pitch with all the will in the world to put an end to our poor recent run.
“We made moves towards doing that on Thursday against Cluj but the derby will be a totally different game.”
When Inter beat Juventus to end the Serie A champions’ 49-game unbeaten run in November, Milan were 13 points behind their city rivals and struggling.
A run of nine wins from 12 then propelled Allegri’s men into third at Inter’s expense, but Stramaccioni does not believe today’s game will be decisive, whatever happens.
“Absolutely not,” he added.
“Whether it’s a good result or a bad result, whether we win or lose the derby, it will shake us out of our current inertia.”
Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino returns to contention after missing out against Barca but striker Giampaolo Pazzini will not feature after suffering a knee injury in midweek.
Inter lost defender Andrea Ranocchia when the Italy international pulled up during the victory in Cluj, with winger Alvaro Pereira set to serve a one-match suspension.
Bologna snowfall
Today’s Serie A match between Bologna and Fiorentina has been rearranged due to heavy snowfall, the Lega Serie A said yesterday.
After inspecting the condition of the pitch, officials from both clubs and the Lega ruled the match will now kick off at 8pm on Tuesday.
A heavy band of snow has affected matches across the Emilia-Romagna region this weekend, with Serie B games at Cesena and Modena also being called off.