Massimiliano Allegri is finalizing the details ahead of the derby against Inter. With the exception of the injured Gimenez, the Rossoneri coach can count on the entire squad and has chosen to focus part of the weekly work on defense, particularly in the management of set pieces.
Inter, the best attack in the league, makes very good use of dead-ball situations. According to reports from the Gazzetta dello Sport, work on these aspects at Milanello is nothing new. Milan has not yet conceded any goals from free kicks or corners in this league. However, against the Nerazzurri, Allegri is demanding an extra level of attention, given the qualities of Inter’s set-piece takers – Calhanoglu and Dimarco – and the presence of dangerous headers like Thuram, Bastoni, Lautaro, Carlos Augusto and, if he starts, Bisseck.
The Rossoneri’s marking method on set pieces is mixed: predefined zones to guard and man-marking on the most dangerous players. Specifically, Milan could assign the individual marking of Thuram, Bastoni, and Bisseck to physically strong profiles such as Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic, or Rabiot. Lautaro, who often attacks the near post, could be contained by decisively occupying that area, as already happened in a previous derby in the 2022-23 season.
Inter is currently the team that has scored the most headed goals (5) in the league. Not all of them have come from set pieces, but for Allegri it remains crucial to reduce crosses into his own area. The question remains open regarding the left-back to be deployed against Inter’s strong flank: Bartesaghi and Estupinan are in contention. The former returns after commitments with the Under 21s and offers physical presence and crossing ability; the latter stayed at Milanello to recover fitness and provide experience and speed. Every choice, for Allegri, will be mainly oriented towards the need to maintain defensive balance.
