Inter Milan vs AC Milan preview - Rossoneri poised to pounce

Posted Sunday, May 06, 2012 by PA

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is determined his side will not suffer the pain of handing Juventus the scudetto this weekend.

The Rossoneri take on Inter Milan at the San Siro on Sunday with a single point to make up on Serie A leaders Juve with two games of the season remaining.

A defeat in the derby coupled with a Juve victory at Cagliari would see the trophy travel to Turin.

"The scudetto is still in Juve's hands," Allegri said. "But we believe it is still possible to defend the title.

"We are not giving up and my team will try with all its strength to win it.

"We will stay focused until the end, giving everything."

The Rossoneri took advantage of Juve's 1-1 draw against Lecce on Wednesday by beating Atalanta, 2-0.

And Allegri is confident his side can clinch their fourth straight win at Inter..

"We are really fired up for the derby," he said. "We could not have asked for a better game, as we are highly motivated.

"If we do well and Juve slip up again, then we can overtake them."

Milan can expect a battle as Inter will be looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat in midweek at Parma - their first loss under coach Andrea Stramaccioni.

The result left the Nerazzurri in real danger of missing out on Europe as they are sixth, one point behind Lazio, who hold the last Europa League qualifying spot.

Inter end the campaign at Lazio on May 13.

"We have so many reasons to be Milan and Lazio," Stramaccioni said. "We will see what the other teams do.

"But I cannot imagine a European competition without Inter in it.

"I don't think the defeat at Parma will affect the team as one game doesn't cancel all the good work we have done so far.

"I expect a great derby from my players, it will be our game."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is Serie A's top scorer with 26 goals so far, will lead AC Milan's attack alongside Robinho.

Inter will be bolstered by the return of captain Javier Zanetti and midfielder Freddy Guarin from injury.

AC Milan are still without injured trio Clarence Seedorf, Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi.

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