Opposition Analysis: AC Milan

After their victory away to Venezia, Inter are preparing for one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the Serie A season. Matchday 10 brings the first Derby of the campaign, with the Nerazzurri set to face AC Milan away from home on Saturday 31 October at 20:45 CET. A fixture like no other, the Derby is an occasion that brings the whole of Milano to a standstill.Inter head into the clash in excellent form, having picked up another three points away to Venezia in midweek to remain top of the table on 25 points. It marks the best start to a season in Nerazzurri history since the introduction of three points for a win. AC Milan, who began a new chapter under Ruben Amorim in the summer, go into the Derby on the back of a 4-2 defeat to Bologna, their first league loss of the campaign.

FORMATION AND STYLE OF PLAY

After finishing fifth last season, AC Milan opted for a fresh start under Ruben Amorim, who replaced Massimiliano Allegri as head coach in the summer. The Portuguese coach has introduced significant changes to the team's formation and style of play, adopting a 3-4-3 system designed to make AC Milan more attacking and dynamic, with a squad reshaped from last season. The club also targeted young players with international experience in the transfer market. Goncalo Ramos arrived from Paris Saint-Germain to lead the line, while Diego Moreira was brought in to add quality out wide and Mario Gila to strengthen the defence.

From their opening competitive fixtures, Amorim's AC Milan have shown a clear desire to control possession and dictate the tempo, playing with a relatively high defensive line and using quick ball circulation to stretch opposition defences. The two attacking midfielders then drift inside to exploit the spaces that open up through the middle. The Rossoneri are particularly dangerous when they suddenly increase the tempo, with midfielders and attacking players making runs through the centre, while much of their play develops out wide through quick, skilful wingers capable of beating their opponents in one-on-one situations.Amorim has rotated his squad extensively in the opening months of the season as he looks to find the right tactical balance. More recently, injuries and absences have also prompted him to move away from his usual back three at times, resulting in a flexible system in which the defence shifts between three and four players depending on the phase of play.

AC Milan often build from the back, making the most of Maignan's ability with the ball at his feet. The midfielders drop deep to offer passing options, while the defenders move wide to create space. The attacking players are key to this approach. Ramos regularly drops back to link up play and provide a direct passing option through the middle, while the two players behind him (Pulisic, Rabiot, Cisse and Moreira have all featured in these roles) constantly interchange positions, making it difficult for opposition defenders to pick them up. They can drift wide to link up with the wing-backs and create passing triangles and overloads, make runs in behind the defence or move into central areas to play quick passes in tight spaces and drive the team forward.

AC Milan are particularly dangerous on the counter-attack, with quick, technically gifted players capable of turning defence into attack in an instant and getting forward in numbers. However, the Rossoneri have struggled when gaps appear between the lines, leaving Amorim's side vulnerable when tracking back and picking up opposition runners, as seen against Benfica, Lazio, Atalanta and Bologna. Defending set pieces has also proved problematic, with AC Milan conceding from dead-ball situations against Torino, Juventus, Sassuolo and Bologna.

THE START OF THE SEASON

Five wins, three draws and one defeat in the league, with 18 goals scored and 11 conceded. In the Europa League, AC Milan have suffered defeats to Benfica and Bournemouth, while recording a victory over Salzburg. Their start to the season has shown a side committed to Amorim's playing philosophy, looking to dominate possession and take an attacking approach.The Rossoneri have scored 18 goals in nine league matches, giving them the fourth-best attack in Serie A. They also rank fifth for Expected Goals (17.13), a figure broadly in line with their actual goals tally. AC Milan are third for average possession (60.4%), behind only Inter and Como, but sit 14th for shots attempted (113), 11th for the proportion of passes played in the final third and eighth for crosses attempted (112).

These figures suggest that AC Milan have not always been able to turn their dominance of possession into clear-cut chances or shots on goal. Amorim's side have often come up against teams content to sit deep and protect their penalty area, with the Rossoneri finding more success as games open up in the second half. Indeed, all seven of AC Milan's goals in their opening four league matches came after the break: two against Torino, two against Venezia, one against Juventus and two against Lazio.

A common feature of these performances has been AC Milan's ability to exploit space with sudden changes of pace. Moreira's two goals against Lazio, for example, both came from quick, direct attacking moves featuring sharp passing and moments of individual quality. The same was true of Rabiot's goal against Lecce, which followed a clever piece of play from Pulisic and a swift exchange of passes between the Frenchman and Ramos. Another effective weapon has been playing balls over the opposition defence for the supporting forwards to run onto. Pulisic scored twice from this type of move, against Lecce following a long pass from Pavlovic and against Udinese after being picked out by Modric. AC Milan have also found success with crosses to the far post, as seen against Torino and Juventus, when Cisse and Rabiot respectively arrived at the back post to score.

Before facing Bologna, AC Milan boasted the joint-best defensive record in Serie A alongside Lazio, having conceded just seven goals. Their expected goals against (xGA) stood at 9.38, while the 79 shots they had allowed opponents was the second-lowest total in the league. However, conceding four against the Rossoblù took their tally to 11 goals, in line with an xGA of 11.47, and dropped them to sixth in the defensive rankings. The match also brought their first Serie A defeat of the season, with the Rossoneri struggling to cope with Bologna's pressure. Mistakes when playing out from the back left gaps in their defensive shape and caused them to lose track of opposition players inside the box.

Until then, AC Milan's defence had largely provided a solid foundation for the team's attacking approach, limiting opponents' territorial dominance and clear-cut chances. However, Amorim's side have also looked vulnerable when opponents break quickly, conceding goals both against organised defensive lines and from set pieces.

With an average squad age of 25.7, AC Milan have a blend of promising young talents and established top-class players. Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot are two players capable of making the difference. Now in his fourth season with the Rossoneri, the American is a key figure in attack, combining excellent dribbling and finishing ability with pace and intelligent movement off the ball. He has scored twice and provided one assist in five league appearances, while his ability to link up play and operate across the front line makes him a constant threat.

The Frenchman has also made a major contribution in attack, registering four goals and three assists in seven league appearances. His influence can be felt right across the Rossoneri's attacking play. Amorim has deployed him both in central midfield and in a more advanced role behind the striker, with Rabiot's stamina and tactical awareness allowing him to cover plenty of ground. His well-timed runs into the box make him difficult for defenders to track, while he combines physical strength with excellent shooting technique and ability on the ball. Alphadjo Cisse has also made an impressive impact, shining in a role behind the main striker. The Italian, born in 2006, has already scored four league goals and three more in the Europa League. His intelligent movement, dribbling ability and instinct for goal have made him a constant threat, with a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Up front, AC Milan's attack revolves around Goncalo Ramos. The Portuguese striker, born in 2001, is a technically gifted centre-forward who can hold the ball up and bring his team-mates into play, make runs in behind the defence and lead the press out of possession. He has scored twice and provided one assist in his first eight Serie A appearances, playing an important role in the build-up and helping his side move up the pitch. In goal, captain Mike Maignan provides composure, leadership and a commanding presence, as well as the ability to initiate attacks from the back. Ahead of him, De Winter has established himself at the heart of the defence, flanked by Pavlovic and Gila. All three are physically strong defenders, comfortable in one-on-one situations and dominant in the air. More recently, injuries and squad rotation have prompted Amorim to turn to Tomori and Diawara, deploying them in hybrid roles between centre-back and full-back as the team's shape changes throughout matches.

Out wide, the Rossoneri will be without Chukwueze and Saelemaekers. Diego Moreira has been a key player at both ends of the pitch this season, using his pace and dribbling ability to beat defenders and get into goalscoring positions, with three Serie A goals already to his name, while also working hard defensively. The Belgian remains a doubt for the Derby, while Bartesaghi and Estupinan are competing for a place on the left. In midfield, Luka Modric continues to pull the strings. The Croatian is a master at controlling possession and dictating the tempo, with an exceptional ability to pick out forward passes and cut off passing lanes when defending. Alongside him, Amorim can call on Musah's energy and mobility or opt for the greater technical quality of Jashari.

AC Milan therefore head into the Derby sitting fifth in the table and looking to bounce back from their defeat to Bologna, while Inter remain joint top alongside Lazio. A special occasion awaits as another chapter unfolds in one of football's most iconic rivalries.