AC Milan vs Inter Milan: Scouting the Enemy

With Inter and Milan on collision course once again, we checked in with one of our favorite Rossoneri fans, Martino Puccio, writer on The Athletic and One37pm. We chat about what was behind Milan’s Scudetto win, how the Rossoneri’s transfer market turned out, and more.

You can follow Puccio on Twitter here.

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Q: What was behind Milan’s Scudetto victory, from players to tactical pillars?

A: The victory was a great mix of veteran poise by players like Giroud and Zlatan all the way to the young studs like Leao and Tonali. Their modern-day pressing philosophy did really well for the youngest ever squad to win the Scudetto in the three-point era.

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Q: How would you grade Milan’s transfer window? Any major arrivals or departures?

A: As of today I would say a 7.5 only because there wasn’t a right-wing upgrade and the replacement for Kessie is a downgrade while losing him for free. But selling Hauge and offloading younger talents was a plus. CDK has world-class potential so having him join was a massive boost no doubt at all.

Q: What are Milan’s strengths and weaknesses? What battles will decide the derby?

A: Our weaknesses are the finishing and lack of a decisive final third play. Our CB duo is definitely underrated so it's nice to have that comfortability as well. I think the derby is completely down to the battle of the midfield. How do Tonali and Bennacer fair vs Brozovic and company?

Q: What does a successful 2022/23 season look like for the Rossoneri?

A: I would love to repeat again as champions but this season is so bizarre with the World Cup that it is really hard to tell how it might work. But winning the Coppa Italia and heading to the KO stages in the UCL is a huge boost.

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Q: And lastly, what’s your prediction for the derby?

A: I think this is going to be a dull 1-1 draw. The UCL is returning and there are so many matches. The lack of Lukaku is massive for Inter so that might give us an edge but our latest match was so poor so it's hard to say. Derbies are a different atmosphere so I expect it to be close!

Thanks for stopping by, Martino!