Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri insists there are no favourites in the Milan derby tonight and would not exchange any of his young stars for Inter striker Antonio Cassano.
Italy holds its breath today ahead of the first ‘Derby della Madonnina’ of the Serie A campaign, as the Rossoneri and Nerazzurri put inconsistent starts aside for one night in the battle for bragging rights in Lombardy.
In fact, both Milan clubs go into tonight’s game after an upturn in form, with Allegri’s men in particularly high spirits following a 3-2 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League.
The Rossoneri boss told reporters: “I believe the derby will be a game unlike any other and there are no favourites this time.
“Traditionally the team that is higher in the league is the favourite. Inter are five points ahead of us. But I want to enjoy the international break so getting a good result will be important.
“We know the game will be difficult because they have players with international experience and battle scars. We have to play a great game and be more cunning than them.
“I don’t envy Inter at all, I’m happy to have these young and enthusiastic boys at my disposal, even if they do occasionally make mistakes.
“When there is unity in the team then it’s easier to get results. I saw it against Zenit, they were helping each other out.”
All eyes will be on Cassano, who stunned Milan by handing in a transfer request this summer before crossing the San Siro to sign for Andrea Stramaccioni’s Inter.
Allegri added: “There are not many players in the world who pass the ball better. We need to keep on top of him.”
Inter striker Diego Milito agreed with Allegri’s analysis of his mercurial partner in crime.
He said: “Cassano reads the game like few others. As soon as he turns, he’s looking for a team-mate making a run. I think he likes making assists more than scoring goals.
“The secret to playing alongside him is to watch him all the time, because he is watching you.
“Antonio can smash a game wide open. He always wants the ball to his feet.”
Corini debut
Meanwhile, Chievo beat Sampdoria 2-1 yesterday to arrest their five-match losing streak in Eugenio Corini’s first match in charge.
Former midfielder Corini, who replaced Domenico Di Carlo earlier in the week, saw French striker Cyril Thereau give Chievo the lead in first-half stoppage time after a clinical counter-attacking move.
But Enzo Maresca hauled the visitors level on 61 minutes when he curled in a sumptuous free-kick from 25 yards.
However, with a draw apparently on the cards, a goalkeeping blunder from Sergio Romero on 87 minutes gifted Chievo all three points, the Argentine number one letting David Di Michele's innocuous long-range effort slip through his fingers.
Results
Serie A
Chievo 2
Thereu 45; Di Michele 87;
Sampdoria 1
Maresca 61;
HT: 1-0. Att: 10,000.
Genoa 1
Borriello 51;
Palermo 1
Giorgi 14;
HT: 0-1. Att: 21,000.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Juventus | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 16 |
| Napoli | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 16 |
| Inter | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 12 |
| Lazio | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 12 |
| Sampdoria (-1) | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 10 |
| Genoa | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Torino (-1) | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 8 |
| Roma | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 8 |
| Fiorentina | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Catania | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 8 |
| Milan | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Bologna | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| Pescara | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 7 |
| Parma | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Udinese | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| Chievo | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 6 |
| Atalanta (-2) | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Palermo | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 5 |
| Siena (-6) | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
| Cagliari | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 2 |
Playing today – 15.00
Catania vs Parma
Fiorentina vs Bologna
Milan vs Inter - 20.45
Napoli vs Udinese - 20.45
Roma vs Atalanta - 12.30
Pescara vs Lazio
Siena vs Juventus
Torino vs Cagliari
Next fixtures
Saturday, October 20: 18.00 Juventus vs Napoli. 20.45 Lazio vs Milan.
Sunday, October 21: 15.00 Atalanta vs Siena; Cagliari vs Bologna; Chievo vs Fiorentina; Inter vs Catania; Palermo vs Torino; Parma vs Sampdoria; Udinese vs Pescara. 20.45 Genoa vs Roma.
Serie B
Ascoli 2 - Crotone 0
Bari 1 - Vicenza 0
Brescia 2 - Lanciano 0
Grosseto 1 - Sassuolo 2
Modena 4 - Cesena 0
Pro Vercelli 1 - Juve Stabia 4
Reggina 1 - Novara 0
Ternana 2 - Cittadella 1
Varese 2 - Empoli 2
Tomorrow
Livorno vs Spezia - 20.45
Standings: Sassuolo 22; Livorno 16; Verona 15; Ternana, Varese (-1) 13; Brescia 12; Spezia, Bari (-7), Modena (-2), Padova (-2), Cittadella 10; Vicenza, Juve Stabia, Ascoli (-1) 9; Lanciano, Cesena 7; Novara (-4), Pro Vercelli 6; Reggina (-3), Crotone (-2) 5, Empoli (-1) 3; Grosseto (-6) 1.