The two giants have awoken from early slumbers, and all of a sudden this coming weekend's clash at San Siro has become one of the most eagerly-awaited in recent years.It was beginning to feel a lot like the biggest clash between AC Milan and Inter in January might be in the transfer market. With the champions playing catch-up behind Juventus and the Nerazzurri going through a real meltdown, the early season form of the two suggested that this month’s most interesting saga would be played out over Manchester City's Carlos Tevez. But with the derby now just six days away, both teams are in the top five, in top form, and are geared up for what should be a magnificent clash at San Siro.While Claudio Ranieri’s side have recorded the more notable upturn, chalking up five straight wins and seven in eight since the home defeat to Juve which saw them finish October in 17th position, so too have Milan put together an excellent run of form. Having started the same month in 15th following their own reverse against the Bianconeri, the Scudetto holders have since won 10 and drawn two in 12 to return to the top of Serie A.
And individually there have been significant improvements made on either side of the divide, too. Diego Milito’s brace in the 5-0 spanking of Parma on Saturday backed up his goal against Lecce before the break to well and truly banish a spell which had seem him record just one strike in 11 games. Meanwhile, the Rossoneri’s own talisman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, became the club’s first player since Andriy Shevchenko to score in five successive matches when netting against Atalanta on Sunday.
But the recent form of the two sides goes beyond more than mere numbers. While three months ago Massimiliano Allegri’s team looked devoid of any real creativity, they have since scored 32 goals in a dozen games off the back of a more settled line-up’s ability to make incisions from every angle. At times recently, they have looked as good as at any stage in their title-winning campaign of last term.
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