Milan Giants Bidding For Glory At Home And Abroad

Tom Oldfield

The first few months of the season in Italy have told us many things. Claudio Ranieri’s newly promoted Juventus are back on song, several dark horses have produced good starts and, above all, the two Milan clubs appear focused on lifting more trophies in 2008. The city has been spoiled in recent times with the success of its football teams – between them they won the top honours at home and in Europe last year – and that run of form is unlikely to end this season.

Inter Milan, the Serie A champions, have made a very bright start to the campaign. They have continued to show their Scudetto-winning form and sit proudly at the top of the league table. Roberto Mancini’s side are unbeaten thus far domestically and look set to reach the next stage of the Champions League. Swedish international front man Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the big hero for the Nerazzurri with nine goals already this season in all competitions. Contributions from Hernan Crespo and Julio Ricardo Cruz have lightened the load on Ibrahimovic and the midfield craft of Luis Figo amongst others has manufactured an abundance of chances for the forwards. On this evidence, Inter seem favourites to retain their Serie A title.

It is in Europe that the club hopes to make big improvements. Mancini and his players were devastated to be eliminated on away goals against an arguably inferior Valencia side in 2006/07. With a favourable group, the second round has always appeared a formality but the real target is to reach the later stages. Inter supporters feel that the current squad is talented enough to go all the way and lift the trophy. Expectations are high around the club.

Their neighbours AC Milan have made a rather different start to their league campaign. Still without a home win in Serie A, manager Carlo Ancelotti has come under increasing pressure as his team has failed time and again to find the back of the net. A 1-0 defeat to Roma and a 0-0 draw with Torino have incensed the locals and the club’s hierarchy. Injuries have been costly, though, with club captain Paolo Maldini spending a long stretch on the sidelines and Brazilian striker Ronaldo, a big success in the later parts of last season, also out injured. Ronaldo is now nearing full fitness and his goal threat will be a massive boost for the under fire Ancelotti.

The Champions League, however, is another story. Somehow the Rossoneri find an extra gear when playing in Europe and have had no problems scoring goals. The players seem to save their best form for the big occasions – a fact that is backed up by the brilliant 2-0 win away to Bayern Munich in last year’s quarter-final and the crushing 3-0 victory over Manchester United at the San Siro in the semi-final.

With three wins out of four matches so far in the Champions League this campaign, the club leads Group D with nine points. Kaka, Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi have produced great displays in this competition and it is hard to believe that it is the same side that has struggled so badly in the league. Two emphatic wins over Shakhtar Donetsk – 4-1 and 3-0 – have proved the team’s class but Ancelotti needs his players to transfer that form to the league fixtures. European success is always important but poor Serie A results will not be tolerated by the club’s hierarchy.

It is an exciting time to be supporting one of the Milan clubs. Inter have another Scudetto in their sights while AC Milan are determined to defend their Champions League crown. There is a long season ahead but these two teams have already put down a marker. The message of intent could not be clearer. Domestically, Juventus, Roma and Fiorentina will not fade away while, in Europe, Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea are equally motivated. Yet none of this will faze the Milan giants. When you have played in as many big games as Maldini and Nesta or Javier Zanetti and Figo, it takes a lot to knock you out of your stride.

Furthermore, there are two Milan derbies to come which promise to be fascinating contests, full of the usual passion and energy. Inter had the edge over their rivals last season – including a thrilling 4-3 victory – but, as both sets of fans are well aware, past results count for nothing in the cauldron of derby day. It is of course possible, too, that there could be a repeat of the teams’ meeting in the 2002/03 Champions League.

If the early stages of the 2007/08 campaign are a true indication, both Milan giants are on course for silverware and might well be enjoying big celebrations in May.