Tonight’s Milan-Inter derby dominates the Italian sports papers, while Juventus go on retreat before tomorrow’s clash with Napoli.
La Gazzetta dello Sport
“100 di questi derby” – “100 of these derbies”
The pink paper calls the Halloween clash at San Siro, which kicks off at 20:45 CET [19:45 GMT], “a historic match, and a spine-chilling one”. It promises a “beautiful duel” between Adrien Rabiot and Nicolò Barella in midfield. Milan risk falling 10 points behind the leaders, while Inter carry a taboo of seven derbies without a win. Rúben Amorim has a message for Cristian Chivu: “I don’t envy you.” The paper also includes a six-page special on a century of derbies at San Siro.
Christian Pulisic has extended his Milan contract until 2031. “I’ll stay here for another five Portuguese coaches,” he joked.
Elsewhere:
Kaká: “I trust Ramos. Just don’t be afraid.”
Iván Zamorano: “It’s Pio’s time. Thuram has transformed.”
Architect Norman Foster on the new San Siro project: “A monumental stadium designed for Milan, inspired by the Galleria.”
Corriere dello Sport
“La paura del Diavolo” – “The Devil’s fear”
The Rome paper argues it’s Milan who risk everything tonight, as they drop 10 points behind if Amorim loses to Chivu. Chivu goes with Marcus Thuram and Pio Esposito up front, while Pulisic is billed as the “anti-Inter”. Gerry Cardinale warmed up for the game by saying: “I dream of the Scudetto and I won’t touch the coach.” Chivu lost both derbies last season, and the paper quotes: “This time we’re more provincial.”
Juventus “must only win” against Napoli tomorrow, with Luciano Spalletti under pressure. The squad has been on retreat at the JHotel since yesterday. Juve are expected to stay in a 3-5-2 with Nick Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani. Gleison Bremer is a doubt, so Pierre Kalulu could move into the back three. Andrea Cambiaso is out, with Juan Cabal on the left.
Massimiliano Allegri sticks with the 4-3-3 for “attacking Napoli”. Scott McTominay is still looking for his first goal against Juventus, with 31 in 88 games for the Partenopei. Alex Meret returns in goal, Amir Rrahmani is favoured over Luca Marianucci, and the front three is Matteo Politano, Rasmus Højlund and Noa Lang.
Roma visit Udinese at 18:00 CET, and the paper says “Gasp knows how to hurt them with Malen”. Donyell Malen has scored seven times from just 12 shots on target, with an xG of 6.6, and has 25 goals in 31 games for the Giallorossi. Raffaele Palladino says “the positive phase must be ridden” before Bologna host Monza.
Tuttosport
“Brividerby” – “Shiver-derby”
The Turin paper calls Milan-Inter a “frightening” game on Halloween night. Amorim sees “the ghost of -10” but raises his sights: “We’re still aiming for the Scudetto. Zero envy of Chivu.” On Inter’s seven-derby drought, the paper quotes: “We haven’t won in seven derbies? We need to ask ourselves some questions.” Pulisic says, “There’s no greater emotion,” and Thuram has a lesson for Spence: “This game is madness.”
“Lucio precetta anche Yildiz” – “Lucio summons Yildiz too”
Juventus are united against the crisis. Spalletti has called every player to the JHotel retreat, including the injured Kenan Yildiz, Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram. Cambiaso is out for Napoli, Jeff Ekhator is back in group training, and a switch to 4-3-3 is not ruled out. Former striker Fernando Llorente said: “Conte is great, but changing won’t help. The problem isn’t the coach: they lack quality Italians and real champions.”
Ignazio Abate wants a battling Torino at Frosinone tomorrow: “Toro, get your hands dirty, don’t admire yourselves in the mirror. It’s like walking in the mountains: you mustn’t stop to admire the view.” Roma fly to Udine and then straight on to Manchester, with “Gasp all in on Malen”.
