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Looking to secure a record seventh consecutive victory over their city rivals, Serie A champions Inter Milan will face a struggling AC Milan at San Siro on Sunday.

The first Milan derby of the season arrives amid rumors of a potential coaching change for the Rossoneri, following their Champions League loss this week. In contrast, Inter have started their title defense strongly and recently held Manchester City to a draw.

Match Preview

Inter Milan have been dominant in the Derby della Madonnina, winning six straight encounters across three competitions with a combined score of 14-2. This streak includes two victories in the 2023 Champions League semifinals, a 5-1 league win, and a crucial 2-1 victory in April that helped secure their 20th Italian title.

Since the 2017-18 season, Inter have triumphed in nine of their 14 Serie A clashes against Milan, only registering more wins against Udinese and Hellas Verona. A win on Sunday would break Milan’s own record of derby victories and move Inter coach Simone Inzaghi closer to becoming the second-most successful coach in derby history, with eight wins, just two shy of Carlo Ancelotti.

Inter head into the derby sitting third in Serie A, two points behind leaders Udinese after a 1-1 draw with Monza last week, in which Denzel Dumfries salvaged a late equalizer. Despite this, the Scudetto holders remain unbeaten this season, having earned a goalless draw against Manchester City in their recent Champions League clash.

Meanwhile, AC Milan are dealing with pressure. Under new coach Paulo Fonseca, the team has only won once in five matches, leaving them 10th in the Serie A standings, marking their worst start since 2018. Milan’s recent 3-1 Champions League loss to Liverpool has fueled speculation about Fonseca’s future, with rumors suggesting club legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now an advisor, may be searching for a new manager.

Despite a recent 4-0 win over bottom-placed Venezia, Milan’s form remains shaky. The last time they won a derby was in September 2022, shortly after winning the Serie A title. Victory this Sunday is crucial for both the team and Fonseca’s future.