AC Milan v Inter Milan - Serie A

Summary

Mancini's first game back as Inter boss
Torres started for AC Milan
Milan seventh and Inter ninth in Serie A
Both clubs nearer bottom than top

Live Reporting

Emlyn Begley

Join the debate on the BBC Sport Facebook pagepublished at 19:28 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Where would these sides finish in the Premier League? Have your say on Facebook., external
Rieve Buckthorpe: Bottom five
Adam Halliday: With the money from the Premier League circus? First and second most years
Mulondo Birali: Relegation zone
Mancini is no Harry Potterpublished at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Image source, Getty Images
New Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed something we all suspected in the build-up to this game.
"I don't have a magical wand," he said.
He also said more things to be fair: "I never thought of returning. Only through hard work will we be able to return to win.
"I have been away for six years coaching abroad, in the Premier League and in Turkey, so I will need a bit of time.
"Inter is a top club and I'm happy to return even though when you go back to a place where you have done a good job, you have everything to lose."
"To start with AC Milan is not going to be easy. We have a quality team that has room for improvement but we need to do so quickly."
Join the debate at #bbceurofootypublished at 19:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Hvj: , externalIs it bad that I miss Torres in the Chelsea line-up?
Bad, no. Strange, yes.
What's a goal?published at 19:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Join the debate on the BBC Sport Facebook pagepublished at 19:22 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
We asked where these sides would finish in the Premier League, have your say on Facebook., external
Mark Green: Higher than Liverpool.
Liam Chance: Championship?
Awetehey Wedi Hagos: On either side of Arsenal, ninth and seventh.
Postpublished at 19:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
BBC Radio 5 live
Image source, Getty Images
Even Paul Ince, who played for Inter Milan between 1995 and 1997, agrees this game isn't what it was.
He told BBC Radio 5 live on Friday night: "It's like Manchester United v Arsenal compared to 10 years ago - it's not as big now because of the players in it.
"The rivalry is so unique. The fans are so passionate - AC Milan are known as the aristocrats and Inter Milan have been known as the paupers.
"We used to kick off at eight o'clock on a Sunday and it was always delayed for 10 or 15 minutes because there was so much smoke inside the stadium from fireworks and crackers. I couldn't see my midfield partner.
"Those days were fantastic - players like Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta."
Join the debate at #bbceurofootypublished at 19:18 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Shane Long (not the Southampton striker): , externalRegardless of the strength of the sides, Milan v Inter is the biggest derby in football. Same city, stadium and great histories.
Postpublished at 19:16 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
However Inzaghi has not done much of a job of improving their fortunes since replacing Clarence Seedorf in the summer.
Milan finished eighth last season - the same position they occupy right now.
Inter, who are one place below their rivals, sacked Walter Mazzarri before the international break, and brought Mancini back. They finished fifth last season.
Postpublished at 19:12 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Image source, EPA
Of course Inter aren't the only club with a former Italy striker in charge.
Filippo Inzaghi, who was born in an offside position according to Alex Ferguson, has been AC Milan's boss since June.
Mancini bids to repeat successpublished at 19:11 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Join the debate at #bbceurofootypublished at 19:07 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
So what has happened to these two once great sides? They are far from excelling in an average league at the moment.
Where would they finish in the Premier League? Mid-table? Dare I suggest lower?
Are they better than Stoke?
Let us know using #bbceurofooty,, external text us on 81111 (UK only) or our Facebook page., external
Team newspublished at 19:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
AC Milan make three tweaks from the side held 2-2 at Sampdoria.
Fernando Torres, Sulley Muntari and Cristian Zapata come in for Daniele Bonera, Nigel de Jong and Keisuke Honda.
Inter Milan make two changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Verona last time out. Joel Obi and Fredy Guarin come in for Nemanja Vidic, who drops to the bench, and Gary Medel.
AC Milan: Diego Lopez; Rami, Zapata, Mexes, De Sciglio, Bonaventura, Essien, Muntari, El Shaarawy, Menez, Torres.
Inter Milan: Handanovic, Nagatomo, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Dodo, Guarin, Kuzmanovic, Obi, Kovacic, Icardi, Palacio.
Postpublished at 19:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Image source, Getty Images
Of course I'm talking about the talent on the pitch, rather than the rivalry itself.
The above picture was taken when the sides met in May so it's still going to be a tasty affair.
However, where once we had Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Andriy Shevchenko, we now have Dani Osvaldo and Giampaolo Pazzini.
For Paolo Maldini and Javier Zanetti, read Ignazio Abate and Andrea Ranocchia.
Postpublished at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2014
Image source, other
Macaulay Culkin.
Image source, Getty Images
Wimpy burger restaurants.
Image source, Getty Images
The Milan derby.
Some things just aren't what they used to be.