WHAT TO EXPECT (DERBY): THE AC MILAN AND INTER MILAN AFFAIR

Source: Sportskeeda.com

The Milan Derby is back this weekend and this season the two teams have strengthened their squads and would make life difficult for reigning champions Juventus. It wasn’t an easy Mercato for both sides but the 2015/16 fixture is reminiscent of the 2009/10 season where they played the derby in the second match day this time round, it is the third match day.

Internazionale Milano have had a perfect start to the season having won their first two matches and AC Milan’s performances have been average as the players are still trying to find rhythm.

With both teams out of Europe and witnessing the ground they play their home games used for the Uefa Champions League Final 2016, the two teams performances in this derby is one that would prove to the world and more importantly to Italians that the two dominant Italian clubs in Europe are back.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

INTER MILAN

Source: Footyheadlines.com

Jeffrey Kondogbia snubbed Ac Milan for Internazionale Milano and he would like to prove a vital point why he was purchased for such a huge sum from French Club AS Monaco. Joao Miranda has become a great part of the Brazilian team in recent times and having transferred from Atletico Madrid where he formed one of the deadlines pairs with Diego Godin would use his experience in helping Internazionale win this game so that they would have a perfect start to the season and a great chance to win the Serie A and head back to Europe. Stephan Jovetic has become a new man. He came out from Fiorentina and was used as a better substitute at Manchester City but his loan move back to Serie A has seen him regain the form that made him a sort after wonderkid and he would surely want one over the red and black outfit.

MILAN

Source: Soccerbible.com

Luis Adriano’s transfer from Shaktar to Ac Milan was much of a surprise to the fans, but having won many champions in the Ukranian league, he feels he needs a new energy and have gotten the chance to shine. His goal was vital in helping Milan win their second game against Empoli and he would surely like to score and secure his name in the hearts of the faithful Rossoneri fans who value derby wins.

Carlos Bacca has been good and having won the Europa League twice in succession, his move from Sevilla was a shock for the footballing world as Milan’s purchases in contemporary times were on small money deals, loans and co-ownerships. His form is lightning up and he has played two games in the league and has done a great deal of transition from La Liga’s passing game to Serie A’s tactical setup where teams prepare hard for matches.

Keisuke Honda has been average for the Rossoneri fans and with the 4-3-1-2 formation back in action and the two forwards cemented in the form of Luis Adriano and Carlos Bacca, the trequartista role is up for grabs and if gets the nod to shine, he would do it with all he can in order to cement a place in the starting lineup for Milan.

Mario Balotelli has his last chance and tempers would be rising on his return onto the only ground he knows best having played for the two teams.

Whatever happens many inferences would be drawn from the game and the whole world would experience for themselves whether the two rival clubs have prepared and can challenge for honours this season.

OLIVIER GIROUD CAN DO MORE FOR ARSENAL

Source: theguardians.com

After some average performance by Arsenal and a lack of touch in front of goal, some people do blame Arsene Wenger for not doing much in the transfer window to have gotten a better striker so Olivier Giroud has become the victim.      

Giroud has won the golden boot in French Football with Montpellier and sometimes looking at his performances he is far away from the same player who plighted his trade back in France. His contribution to the Arsenal is immense, sometimes criticisms get to people and they take it in good faith and Olivier Giroud needs to do more to help put off massive criticisms which comes out of not only the fans but from club legends such as Thierry Henry.

With the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil who led assists in Europe three seasons back and Santi Cazorla, Oxlade Chamberlain and the inform Coquelin, Olivier Giroud should strive and feel part of the group and learn to take the responsibilities and can to the utmost realization that he is at the top there and when he doesn’t score, the team would not win in most circumstances.

With Arsenal having 34 games to play Giroud should rise up and bang in the goals to help the Gunners rise up the table and challenge for the Premier League and to some extent the Champions League if he carries a great form into Europe.

CHELSEA WINS AGAINST WBA TO KEEP UP THE CHALLENGE

Having gone from the Premier League Champions to losing the Community Shield to Arsenal and thereafter drawing with Swansea and losing at the Etihad stadium, Chelsea has won against West Bromwich Albion and has kept the hopes alive from goals from Pedro Rodriguez, Diego Costa and Cesar Azpilicueta. Many pundits and lovers of the game have said that they might not win the Premiership this season but are back after a great game and a great win where Morrison's penalty miss proved to be the main difference.

It wasn't an easy game and an easy task, if Chelsea had lost this game, the taste of defeat would have been sweeter on their foot and toes than sugar on their respective individual tongues. Chelsea can accomplish great things this season and no matter what the haters say, they are Chelsea and that taste of being the match day victors is the stepping stone that changes the course of their season.

With the addition of Pedro, who had a fantastic debut, they are more than contenders upfront, as he helped add width and depth in squad to reduce the burden on star player Eden Hazard. He also aided Diego Costa in becoming the Costa we once knew with a goal because they share the same nationality and knows his moves and connected through successfully.

Fabregas seems to have lost the form he brought in his first season but he did well together with Zouma and Thibaut Courtois who saved the game for Chelsea after his penalty save.

With a manager who likes the scent of being a winner, Chelsea did not disappoint fans whose happiness only thrives on match day wins but not the funds they put out to support the team.