Milan on way up in time for Inter derby

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is hoping his embattled side has finally turned a corner after their disastrous start to the campaign as Sunday's derby against Inter approaches.

Milan finished runners-up to Juventus last season but 45-year-old Allegri was given a formidable challenge for this campaign after he lost the spine of an experienced and battle-hardened squad over the summer. As expected, Milan struggled but no one had anticipated them failing to win at the San Siro in four attempts. It was their worst start to the season in over 80 years.

In recent weeks, however, Milan have started to gel and the emergence of Stephan El Shaarawy, who has now scored five goals in four games, has given the Rossoneri fans a huge boost.

Despite a 1-1 draw away to Parma last week Allegri's side enjoyed a 3-2 win away to Champions League opponents Zenit Saint Petersburg on Wednesday. "We are going into the derby on the back of a good victory," Allegri said. El Shaarawy has been hailed as the club's early season saviour.

The Italy under-21 striker scored two goals to give Milan their first home win of the season against Cagliari 10 days ago and scored Milan's second in Saint Petersburg. Along with his goal in a 2-1 defeat to Udinese, and his leveller against Parma, the 19-year-old's tally of five goals is one better than former star Zlatan Ibrahimovic's tally of four at the start of the 2012 season.

AFP