Already seven points behind after another midweek meltdown, AC Milan really must cut their deficit to Serie A leaders Inter Milan when the pair meet for Saturday's Derby della Madonnina.

Before facing their city rivals, Milan followed last week's loss to Bournemouth with a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Bologna, while Inter kept hold of top spot with an edgy victory at Venezia - once again getting over the line thanks to two late goals.

Match preview

After previously enduring a long winless streak, Milan have totally turned that derby form around by losing none and winning five of the last seven - including a pair of 1-0 league wins last term. 

Yet, that those victories ended up feeling hollow: soon after completing their first Serie A double over Inter since 2011, the Rossoneri totally collapsed and their foes went on to claim the title.

Six defeats from the final 10 league games of that campaign saw Milan miss out on qualifying for the Champions League - and it sparked a quick cull of the club's management.

Ruben Amorim was hired to turn things around, but his team have been inconsistent so far, taking only three points from three Europa League games and sitting fifth in Serie A.

Though they were still unbeaten domestically when Bologna came to town on Wednesday evening, that record was ultimately ended in a chaotic encounter at San Siro.

Having trailed within eight minutes, then led when rising star Alphadjo Cisse bagged a brace, a second-half collapse saw Milan ship four top-flight goals at home for the first time in nearly four years.

Furthermore, the Rossoblu's hero Samuel Mbangula became just the second man to score an away hat-trick against the Rossoneri in Serie A history  - the other being Gabriel 'Gabigol'  Batistuta back in 1998.

Not the best way to set up their biggest game of the season so far, but Milan must swiftly move on and try to cut the gap to their relentless arch-rivals.

While the red-and-black half of Italy's second city are trying to keep faith in Amorim's rebuild, continuity is key for the black-and-blue side, who clinched both domestic trophies last term. 

After losing the derby in November - when ex-Milan man Hakan Calhanoglu was denied by Mike Maignan from the penalty spot - Inter responded by going 15 games without defeat in Serie A.

Having then added a 10th Coppa Italia to their 21st Scudetto - marking a very successful first year for Cristian Chivu - the Nerazzurri are now on track to remain undisputed 'Kings of Calcio'.

Chivu's side came from behind for the fifth time in eight league games when they dramatically beat Fiorentina on Sunday, striking twice in the closing stages.

Then, after briefly being deposed by surprise challengers Lazio - who are only behind Inter on goals scored - they recliamed the summit on Wednesday evening. 

French forwards Marcus Thuram and Ange Bonny both missed chances during a rather jaded display, but the champions eventually benefited from two late own goals at Stadio Penzo.

With just two dropped thus far, Inter have already put 25 points on the board, which is their best at this stage of any Serie A campaign in the 21st century.

While that remarkable record is barely keeping Lazio at bay, it should certainly make Milan stop and think.

AC Milan Serie A form:

AC Milan form (all competitions):

Inter Milan Serie A form:

Inter Milan form (all competitions):

Team News

Amorim made some midweek changes ahead of the derby; most notably, 41-year-old Luka Modric was initially benched before coming on for the Rossoneri's calamitous second half.

Christian Pulisic was also left out of the starting XI, but both are likely to return on Saturday, when Fikayo Tomori may be replaced due to the injury that forced him off against Bologna.

While Samuel Chukwueze, Mattia Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are still unavailable, Adrien Rabiot, Diego Moreira and Mario Gila are all back in contention after brief layoffs.

It remains to be seen whether Cisse and Pulisic support misfiring striker Goncalo Ramos. Being tipped for a senior Italy call-up, Cisse already scored a Europa League 'tripletta perfetta' (perfect hat-trick) earlier this term, and he netted once with either foot on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Inter's front line will be missing its main man, with captain Lautaro Martinez still sidelined by a flexor problem. So, any two from Thuram, Bonny and Pio Esposito should start together.

Having suggested that none would be back by the weekend, Chivu's absence list also features Luis Henrique and Benjamin Pavard, plus English pair John Stones and Curtis Jones. 

Able to play almost anywhere in defence or out wide, utility man Carlos Augusto is likely to extend his run of starts, having recorded an impressive six goal involvements this season; Josep Martinez is set to supplant Ivan Provedel in goal.

Hakan Calhanoglu could return in central midfield, after Aleksandar Stankovic made his first Serie A start in midweek: it was a particularly memorable occasion, as brother Filip was in goal for Venezia, while dad Dejan - an Inter legend - watched on from the stand.

AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic, Estupinan; Moreira, Modric, Musah, Cisse; Pulisic, Ramos

Inter Milan possible starting lineup:

J. Martinez; Akanji, Bastoni, Augusto; Diouf, Barella, Calhanolglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito 

We say: AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan

While Milan claimed all the spoils last term, these sides took the Derby della Madonnina down to Australia in pre-season, drawing 1-1 at Perth's Optus Stadium.

That result could be repeated more meaningfully this week. Both teams have injuries - and both bosses are warning of fatigue at a very hectic stage of the campaign - so they might begrudgingly shake hands on a draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.