GdS: ‘Super derby’ – Inter start as favourites but Milan hope for the Conceicao effect | OneFootball

This evening Inter and AC Milan will play for the first trophy of the season at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, with one team starting as clear favourites.

As this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes, the two teams come to this match in a completely different runs of form, even if both ultimately had to overcome their respective opponents in the semi-final to play for the title this evening.

If tonight’s match were to simply follow the indications the two previous games in Riyadh, there would be no contest given that Inter clearly beat Atalanta while Milan managed to overcome Juventus only thanks to a clumsy foul by Manuel Locatelli that led to a penalty and a freak own-goal.

In short, Inter would already have the title in their grasp if those performance levels were to be maintained, especially because they have won five in a row without conceding across all competitions. Yet, the derby can be unpredictable as the game in October showed.

Yesterday in his press conference Simone Inzaghi recalled that Milan are the only team to have beaten Inter in the league. Despite the difficulties domestically for the Rossoneri and the change in coach, the Nerazzurri will have to play at their best to deserve the jackpot.

Conceiçao, victorious in his debut against Juventus, will take to the field with a vertical, well-organised team that will not give up an inch. It is unlikely that he will opt for a 4-4-2 like Paulo Fonseca did a few months ago, and more likely he will use a 4-2-3-1 with Tijjani Reijnders as an attacking midfielder.

What about Rafael Leao? Before risking his star man Conceiçao will think carefully, also because the Portuguese is too important for the future of Milan. The fact that he worked all day yesterday with the squad gives hope, but the idea is to use him as an impact substitute.