Inter On A High Ahead Of Milan Derby As Napoli Face Juventus Test

Inter Milan are ready to inflict more pain on their beleaguered local rivals AC Milan on Sunday after the Champions League highlighted the gulf in class currently separating two of Serie A's most storied teams. Italian champions Inter host this season's first Milan derby at what will be a typically colourful and raucous San Siro, fresh from their encouraging goalless draw at Manchester City on Wednesday. Simone Inzaghi's team, who lost the 2023 Champions League final to City, once again went toe-to-toe with the mega-rich English champions and played well enough to win.

Inzaghi called his team's performance in Manchester "gigantic" and had the demeanour of someone who trusts his players to show up when it matters.

"They're one of the best teams in the world... We've played two very close matches with City," said Inzaghi.

"We all know what the derby means for the club and supporters... It's easier to get ready for matches after a performance like tonight (Wednesday)."

The difference between what Inter showed at City and Milan's limp efforts against Liverpool was huge, and all signs point towards a seventh straight derby win for the blue and black half of Italy's economic capital.

Troubled Milan were loudly booed and whistled by a half-empty stadium after crumbling to a 3-1 defeat on Tuesday, with a huge chunk of the less than 60,000 fans who showed up already on their way home by the time the match ended.

A dreadful start to the season has frustrated supporters who last season had to suffer the humiliation of conceding the league title to Inter with five matches remaining by losing the derby.

Milan are 10th in Serie A with five points after four matches and the manner of defeat against Liverpool, which pushed the remaining