Inter Milan is gearing up for a significant week with key fixtures against Monza and a crucial Champions League clash. The Italian champions are set to face Monza on Sunday, aiming to maintain their lead in Serie A. However, recent revelations about links between organized crime and Inter’s hardcore supporters have cast a shadow over the team's preparations.
Inter Milan will face Monza with the goal of continuing their early-season dominance, but coach Simone Inzaghi might rest some key players in anticipation of their upcoming Champions League match against Manchester City. This fixture on Wednesday, a rematch of the 2023 final, is a major highlight in the revamped league phase and comes just days before the Milan derby.
Inzaghi’s side clinched last season’s Scudetto with five matches to spare, defeating AC Milan. Inzaghi will likely need his top players in peak condition for both the City match and the subsequent derby against AC Milan.
Currently, Inter tops Serie A on goal difference, ahead of Juventus, who will face Empoli on Saturday evening. AC Milan, trailing Inter by five points, will host Venezia at San Siro and also prepare for a midweek visit from Liverpool. New coach Paulo Fonseca is under pressure as Milan's season struggles continue. Tammy Abraham is expected to make his first start for Milan alongside former Chelsea teammates Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while Alvaro Morata is recovering from a thigh injury.
Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez are set to return to Milan's starting lineup after being rested in the match against Lazio, aiming to contribute significantly in both the Venezia and Liverpool fixtures.
Off the pitch, the situation is more troubling for Inter. The recent killing of a reputed mobster, Antonio Bellocco, has brought attention to disturbing links between organized crime and the club's hardcore supporters. Andrea Beretta, a long-time criminal with ties to the 'Ndrangheta mafia, was arrested for Bellocco's murder following an altercation. The death has raised concerns about the infiltration of mafia groups into ultra supporter factions and their involvement in illicit activities, including ticket touting and drug dealing.
Beretta was a prominent figure in the Curva Nord section of San Siro, following the killing of another ultra leader, Vittorio Boiocchi, in October 2022. Reports at the time indicated that Boiocchi earned a significant amount through his role.
**Player to Watch: Ademola Lookman**
Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League victory, has yet to feature for Atalanta this season due to a transfer request. He was on the bench as Atalanta lost to Inter Milan before the international break but is expected to play against Fiorentina on Sunday, marking their first home game this season as Gewiss Stadium nears completion. With Arsenal visiting Bergamo on Thursday for a Champions League match, coach Gian Piero Gasperini will rely on Lookman’s talent for these crucial fixtures.
