Rossoneri Round-up for 2 April: Donnarumma says Derby della Madonnina will be a “playoff” match

Tuesday’s Derby Della Madonnina would be a huge match already, but it’s taken on even bigger importance this year, as the winner will be in the driver’s seat towards a Champions League spot, while the loser will struggle to make it. Inter Milan is eight points ahead of Milan, so this match will be vitally important for Milan to win if the Rossoneri want to catch up and snatch the 4th spot at the end of the season.

Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said of the derby,

Now we look forward to what is effectively a Champions League play-off with Inter. I hope there is a great deal of enthusiasm at San Siro. We’ll give our all and need our fans to win the game

So, basically, what will be a totally crazy atmosphere will be even more electric with the possibility of the match deciding not only bragging rights in Milan, but also a spot at the Champions League table for next year.

On to the links.

AC Milan and Italian Football Links

Fiorentina celebrated Easter by inviting the staff, the squad, and their families to the newly-renamed Davide Astori training centre. [Football-Italia.net]

A look at what Milan are missing in. [AC Milan Offside]

Lucas Leiva wants to make the Champions League with Lazio. My daughters also want a pony. [Football-Italia.net]

Marek Hamsik said that Napoli were the stronger side, but didn’t do enough to win at Sassulo, putting their run at the Scudetto at risk. [Football-Italia.net]

World Football Links

A Kévin Gameiro penalty was enough to for Atlético Madrid to get past Deportivo La Coruña. [Into the Caldreon]

Albacete’s Pedro Novo fell out of a hotel window before the La Liga 2 side’s match against Huesca. [BBC.com]

Tottenham Hotspur won at Stamford Bridge for the first time in decades, beating Chelsea 3-1 and leaving their London rivals even further behind in the race for the top four. [Cartilage Free Captain]

Jermain Defore thinks he can play in this summer’s World Cup with England. Well, it’s important to believe in yourself, I guess. [BBC.com]