Club Focus - Inter - Derby della Madonnina and Jermaine Jenas?

In terms of the season as a whole, this is a very important weekend for both Milanese sides. The Derby della Madonnina presents Milan with a chance to capitalise on their recent fine form and get to within three points of top spot. Inter, on the other hand, will want a win to inflict a huge blow to the Rossoneri’s morale, and extend their lead.

But with Esteban Cambiasso, Sulley Muntari, Dejan Stanković and Thiago Motta not yet fully fit, the Inter midfield could be under-strength for one of the biggest derbies in Europe. It could, however, present a chance for one of Inter’s other players, like Ricardo Quaresma, to take the opportunity to shine on such a big stage. Up-front, Inter look pretty good, with Mario Balotelli, Diego Milito and Goran Pandev all likely to feature and they will sure give Thiago Silva and possibly Alessandro Nesta (depending on whether he is passed fit) plenty to worry about. At the risk of tempting fate, this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Milan derbies in quite a while.

Transfer talk in the last few days has included a strange story about the Nerazzurri being interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas. Even more puzzling is the suggestion that Jenas would cost Inter €11.5m, or Sulley Muntari plus cash (despite the fact that the Ghanaian cost more than €11.5m on his own). After the Júlio Baptista saga it seems as if la Beneamata are endeavouring to find a player whom they need less than the Roma man, and have found one in the shape of yet another centre midfielder.

If Inter are desperate for more options in midfield, the ever-growing rumours of a move for Cristian Ledesma will cheer the fans as they seem to get more far-fetched every week. Reports have suggested that Inter are preparing to offer Lazio money for the player in an attempt to beat Juventus in the race to sign the Argentinean. Ledesma’s case for his contract to be terminated is due to be heard by the arbitration panel on the 26th January and the Biancocelesti could lose him for nothing, so they have an incentive to sell him to Inter before that date. Should the choice come down to Ledesma or Jenas, there is only one sensible option, and that would not be the one increasing the amount of Englishmen in Serie A.

Elsewhere, Italy Coach Marcello Lippi says he will not be bothering to visit Inter on his trips to watch the clubs in Serie A because they do not have enough Italian players to make it worth the effort, even though he will be coming to Milan to watch the Rossoneri. With Mario Balotelli the only Italian that sees anything closely resembling regular first-team football for Inter, it is hard to argue with the logic behind Lippi’s descision. “I will go and find other teams, starting from tomorrow,” said the former Juve Coach, “But not Inter, as there aren’t enough Italian players – simple as that.”

At the Oscar del Calcio ceremony, Inter players destroyed the opposition by winning the majority of the awards on offer. Mourinho took home best Coach, Inter got best team, Júlio César was best goalkeeper, Zlatan Ibrahimović was best foreign player and Diego Milito won the fan award for his performances at Genoa last season. But all these awards will not be able to calm the fans should the Nerazzurri get beaten by the Rossoneri on Sunday night.