On Saturday, the latest edition of the Derby della Madonnina will get underway. League leaders Inter, who are seeking to successfully defend their Scudetto title, will welcome cross-town rivals Milan as they aim to put more distance between themselves and the chasing pack.
As things stand, four points divide the Nerazzurri from the Rossoneri. From Stefano Pioli's side's perspective, they'll be looking to achieve three different objectives.
The first, obviously, is to pick up all three points. This will help Milan move to one point behind their city rivals and potentially blow the Scudetto race back open.
The second? Well, the Diavolo will be hoping to end their frustrating hoodoo against the Nerazzurri. They've only won one of their last 11 meetings with Inter, losing six and drawing the other four, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace in October 2020 enough to give them a 2-1 win.
And the third? Should Milan end that hoodoo, they'll end Inter's 28 game unbeaten run at home. It's the second longest for the Nerazzurri, who went 45 home games sans defeat over a 2.5 year span between April 2008 and November 2010.
Interestingly, Ibrahimovic was the player to end that run, netting the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Rossoneri.
The 40-year-old may not be able to have an impact on Saturday, as he's facing a race against time to be fit in time for this big match, but Milan fans will certainly be hoping he can recover in time as the Diavolo seek to force their way back into contention for the Scudetto.
