Milan 88/89 2, Inter 97/98 1
(Van Basten 16', Ancellotti 33') (Simeone 85')
MOTM: Ancellotti
AC Milan dominated the first leg of this Derby della Madonnina but a late Diego Simeone header gives Inter hope going into the return leg. Milan had 74% of first half possess and although Inter improved in the second half, ended the match with 65% of possession and similar territorial dominance.
Inter's formation, the narrow 4-4-2 sweeper diamond, hamstrung the nerazzurri in the first half. With Baresi and Costacurta man marking Ronald and Zamorano, the Milanese fullbacks, Tassotti and Maldini, were able to push forward into the space afforded by the narrow Inter midfield. This dragged Simeone and Winter out wider and allowed Rijkaard and Ancellotti to dominate the center of the park, cutting off service to Inter's playmaker Djorkaeff. In addition, whilst Zanetti largely kept Colombo in check, Colonesse had a torrid time with Donadoni. Time and again Inter's clearances were hurried and fell into the laps of the excellent pair of Ancellotti and Rijkaard. It was no surprise on 16 minutes when an Ancellotti ball into the box was volleyed home by Van Basten despite the close attentions of Salvatore Fresi. It would have been 2-0 on the half hour but for a brilliant double save by Pagliuca who was the standout performer for Inter. He could do nothing about about the next Milan effort though, a top corner screamer by Ancellotti from the edge of the box. Milan were cruising and Ronaldo was a frustrated spectator.
Simone made changes in the second half, bringing on Moriero for Ze Elias to add width and the Milanese fullback raids died out but Milan were still dominating possession and chances. Pagliuca made two more good saves while Galli didn't get his gloves dirty. Inter continued to chase the game, bringing on Recoba for the ineffective Zamorano. It was Recoba with five minutes remaining who managed to hold the ball up late on and send it across to Ronaldo who had slipped his shadow Baresi by drifting wide to the right of the box. He whipped ball back across and Simone, making a swashbuckling late run from midfield, met it unmarked and diverted it past the rooted Galli. It was their only shot on target all match to Milan's 6.
So Inter, who at halftime looked absolutely out classed, now enter the nominal home leg needing only a 1-0 win to advance. Still a tall order and one unlikely without serious changes to the tactics and formation by Simoni. The sweeper diamond must surely be scrapped.
One option might be to start with the players who ended the game and push Zanetti forward into a Christmas tree formation of 3-4-2-1
Fresi-West-Colonesse
Moriero-Simeone-Winter-Zanetti
Djorkaeff-Recoba
Ronaldo
With Ronaldo drifting between Costacurta and Baresi feeding on the dual threat of Recoba and Djorkaeff. But in general that looks like a side chasing more than just a 1-0 deficit and one at risk of conceding a killer third goal of the tie. Simoni, may instead look to tighten up further and try to pick Milan off with a moment of Ronaldo brilliance. In that case a number of Inter's experienced defensive options could be used, in particular the old head of Bergomi. The lineup used in the Uefa cup against Strasbourg where a 2-0 away loss was overturned 3-0:
5-3-1-1
Sartor-Galante-Bergomi-West-Zanetti
Moriero-Cauet-Simeone
Djorkaeff
Ronaldo
This formation would rely on Sartor and Zanetti breaking forward to add width, with the midfield trio seeking to out-muscle the crucial Ancellotti Rijkaard axis that was the key to Milan's dominance in the first leg. Club stalwart Nicola Berti or Paulo Sousa are other midfield options. Then what to do with Zamorano, who was ineffective in the first leg. Does he come off the bench or do Ganz, Branca or Kanu take his place. At least Simoni has a very deep squad to choose from.
Milan by contrast must now decide whether to push forward for the away goal or sit deep and try to nick one instead or at least not concede. They must be wary not to cede the momentum.
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