MILAN , Sep 15: The Milan derby has the air of a title match even at this early stage of the season.
Both Inter Milan and city rival AC Milan are off to perfect starts with three wins in three matches, with both playing an exciting style of soccer boosted by new signings that already look set to light up the Italian league.
Both also recorded confidence-boosting victories before the international break, with Milan winning 2-1 at Jose Mourinho’s Roma and Inter thumping Fiorentina 4-0.
The derby della Madonnina so-called because of the statue of the Virgin Mary that tops Milan’s iconic cathedral has always had a special atmosphere. But the intensity has ramped up even more over the past few seasons with both teams fighting for the Serie A title, which Inter won in 2021 only to be deposed by Milan the following season.
Inter has won five of the past six matches between the two, including both legs of their Champions League semifinal last season.
But after a glut of new arrivals in the offseason, who will emerge on top this campaign?
“Let’s say that the derby is the perfect opportunity to find out,” Christian Pulisic said in an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
Pulisic has been one of Milan’s standout signings and his two goals in the opening three matches already have the Rossoneri fans chanting the name of the United States international. “It was love at first sight for me too,” Pulisic said. “Especially when I saw the fans. I’ve never seen a passion like this.”
Pulisic, who turns 25 on Monday, came to Milan to revive his flagging club career after falling out of favor at Chelsea.
He is among more than 10 new players Milan splashed cash on over the summer to try to wrestle the title back from Napoli.
“We are confident in the title race,” he said. “We have strong players, really good players came in, there’s a great mix of talent. We can win it, we just have to continue working hard and playing like this.”
Milan’s powerful attack faces perhaps its sternest test yet against an Inter defence that is the only team yet to concede in the Italian league. Inter also brought in several players in the offseason, including Marcus Thuram, who joined on a free transfer after deciding not to renew his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Thuram scored his first goal for the club against Fiorentina and also has three assists.
Lautaro Martínez has had an even more impressive start to the season and tops the scoring charts with five goals.
Martínez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, netted twice against Milan last season.
A draw in Milan would suit Juventus just fine.
Two points behind in third place, Juve can close the gap with a win over Lazio, who got their first win of the season at Napoli last time out.
Napoli look to get their title defence back at promoted Genoa while surprise package Lecce put their unbeaten start to the season on the line with an away trip to Monza on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma, with just one point from three games, will try to kick-start their season when they host Empoli on Sunday.
Bonucci starts legal battle against Juventus
Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci will take legal action against former club Juventus after a reported fallout with manager Massimiliano Allegri led to his recent exit from the club.
Bonucci, 36, who spent 12 years in Turin over two spells, was left out of Allegri’s squad for the United States pre-season tour and home friendlies prior to their Serie A opener on Aug. 20.
He agreed to terminate his contract with Juve to facilitate the move to the Bundesliga side Union Berlin, with whom he signed for one year on the deadline day.
“I have decided, after great suffering, to take the path of a lawsuit towards Juventus,” Bonucci told Sport Mediaset in an interview published on Thursday.
“My rights stipulated that I should have trained with the team regardless of the technical choice and been put in a position to physically be able to play during the following season.
“This was not granted to me, I no longer trained with the team. I felt drained of everything, humiliated, I couldn’t do what I love most.”
Bonucci said he did not feel remorse towards his former club nor was seeking financial reward, and that if he won the legal battle he would donate all the proceeds to charity. ”I have nothing against Juventus. Juventus are the fans, the team, my former team mates,” Bonucci said. Bonucci added his hopes are to be back at Juventus one day as coach. (AP)
