Derby Milan was once the stage for Sneijder to tout his talent and class when he first arrived in Serie A.
Derby Milano, for Sneijder, is a truly sweet and sacred memory.
In subsequent derby matches, regardless of high or low performance, as long as he was physically fit to play, Sneijder, with his position as Inter’s midfield boss, automatically had a starting spot, regardless of Mourinho’s tenure.
The injury that has kept Sneijder out of action for more than a month is certainly not the reason why the 28-year-old midfielder may lose his place when the derby takes place, because he has recovered before the 5-0 win over Parma at the weekend.
The match against Parma in round 17 was Inter’s fifth consecutive victory in Serie A, the last time they did it was nearly two years ago, from April to May 2010, when Mourinho was still in office.
Under Ranieri, Sneijder no longer has an inviolable position.
During the past five consecutive victories, the 4-4-2 formation, without the need for a pure striker like Sneijder, ran more and more smoothly as Ranieri applied it.
Between the two names just mentioned, Ricky Alvarez is considered a new hope in the Inter midfield.
`Sneijder as well as Forlan have both recovered and are in my plans for the derby. But I’m not sure these two will start. Inter’s midfield is playing very well with the links playing well with
Ranieri is famous for being tactful and skillful in every word he speaks.
Alvarez (right) will be the one to indirectly push Sneijder to the bench for the first time in Milan derbies.
Derby is the biggest demonstration of force of the year for Inter.
Phuong Uyen