The Serie A championship, a potential second star, and the future of both teams are at stake as the San Siro prepares for a historic Milan Derby.

In a highly anticipated clash, Inter Milan has the opportunity to secure their 20th Serie A title by defeating their arch-rivals AC Milan. This would be a historic achievement, as no team has ever won the league in a derby match. A victory would also propel Inter ahead of Milan in the all-time Scudetto list, placing them in second place with 20 titles, just behind Juventus with 36. Additionally, Inter would earn a second golden star on their jersey for next season, symbolizing their 20 league crowns. The match will take place at Milan’s San Siro Stadium on September 16, 2023.

Inter Milan has been setting records and raising the bar this season. They have outperformed their rivals in almost every aspect of the game. With 77 goals scored, they have the best attack in the league, surpassing Milan’s 63 goals. Defensively, Inter has been dominant, conceding only 17 goals compared to Bologna’s 25, the next best defensive record. Lautaro Martinez leads the scoring charts with 23 goals, far ahead of Dusan Vlahovic’s 16. Inter is also the first team to score in each of their first 32 games this season. With 26 wins in 32 games and only one defeat, Inter is closing in on their club record of 30 wins in a single league campaign, set in 2006/07.

Last season’s unexpected run to the UEFA Champions League final has given Inter a confidence and swagger that has been evident throughout this campaign. Manager Simone Inzaghi, who orchestrated that memorable run, is on the verge of winning his sixth trophy in three years as Inter coach, but more importantly, his first league title. Inzaghi acknowledges the significance of the upcoming derby match, stating that winning the title in such a manner would be a remarkable achievement.

On the other side of Milan, things are not looking as promising for AC Milan. Despite their current position in the league table, which suggests a comfortable second-place finish, the atmosphere at the club is far from content. Coach Stefano Pioli has faced criticism, and reports suggest that Monday’s match could be decisive for his future. Although Pioli led Milan to their first Scudetto in 11 years and a Champions League semi-final last season, the team has struggled to find consistency this term. A recent Europa League exit and a series of inconsistent performances have intensified the pressure on Pioli.

Milan’s recent record against Inter is also cause for concern. Inter has won the last five meetings between the two teams, including both legs of last season’s Champions League semi-final, with an aggregate score of 12-1. Milan suffered their heaviest defeat in the fixture in over a decade earlier this season, losing 5-1. Revenge would be sweet for Milan, not only to rectify that humiliating loss but also to deny their rivals the satisfaction of winning the title in front of their own fans.

While Inter has shown some signs of vulnerability in recent matches, Milan will need to rediscover their attacking prowess to have a chance of causing an upset. The trio of Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, and Olivier Giroud will be crucial in providing the firepower needed to trouble Inter’s defense. Despite Inter’s recent dip in form, they remain the favorites heading into the match.

For Milan, the knowledge that an open-top bus parade has already been planned for Tuesday adds further motivation to delay Inter’s celebrations. Coach Pioli will be hoping for a strong performance to secure his own future and restore pride to the club and its supporters.

The highly anticipated Milan derby will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Monday, April 22.