/ Alsy / 23 July 2008 /

Of the two Milan giants, Alister Morgan believes the Rossoneri will have the most successful season.

For the two football giants of Milan the pre-season chatter is all about comings-and-goings. This season, who has arrived, and who might be arriving, in Milan before the start of the new season may well decide who wins the scudetto. For these old adversaries this year's competition has special significance - if Inter Milan secure a fourth-consecutive title then they match the 17 titles (second only to the 27 won by Juventus) accumulated by AC Milan.

The biggest name to arrive at Inter so far will cost millions in wages but will not kick a solitary ball for the Nerazzurri. José Mourinho seems to be playing down the "special" nature of his managerial talents but his job description is simple - maintain Inter's domestic superiority and translate that to Champions League victory. So far Mourinho has been uncharacteristically quiet in the transfer market but with a large squad bursting with international talent he already has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. In truth Inter have practically strolled their way to three Serie A titles. Last year Roma did push them to the final game (they were miles behind as runners-up in the previous two years) but Inter had a large cushion of points to play with.

Ironically, the one major signing Inter have made involved taking one of Roma's best players, Mancini. The Brazilian winger scored 40 goals in 154 appearances for Giallorossi and will provide a natural replacement for the legendary, but ageing, Luis Figo.

There are no prizes for guessing who the next Inter signing might be. Mourinho's fawning and public admiration for Frank Lampard is well documented and with Chelsea refusing to offer the five-year contract he's after, Frank's blue shirt may well contain a few black stripes in the near future.

AC Milan have a much tougher job on their hands if they're aiming to join the battle at the top of the table with Inter. In recent years an impressive European record papered over some sub-standard domestic form. Carlo Ancelotti has been in charge since 2001 and he won his first scudetto in 2003 but the last time AC Milan finished in the top-two was in 2004.

Last year was the end of an era as the heart of Ancelotti's legendary team finally succumbed to Old Father Time. Like the spine of the AC Milan team, I thought that Ancelotti should be replaced but he's been given another season and a formidable war chest to rebuild the side. He hasn't been slow to splash the cash...

Seven players have joined the Rossoneri so far including Antonini and Zambrotta in defense and Abate and Flamini in midfield. Up front Milan already boasts the world's best player, Kaka, and his talented compatriot Pato. Not content with the five Brazilians in his squad Ancelotti welcomed Ronaldinho to the fold last week. Contrary to the opinions of some the 28-year-old Brazilian has plenty more to give on the world stage and, with no Champions League football this season, Ancelotti has the opportunity to build a new team away from the white-hot scrutiny of Europe's toughest tournament.

AC Milan have their best chance to win the scudetto for many years and look good value at [3.85]. Ancelotti has bought well infusing some much needed youth into his defense, steel to the midfield and awesome creativity up front. All the pressure will be on Mourinho's Inter to succeed on both domestic and European fronts. Inter have the squad and the experience to make themselves worthy favourites, at [2.48], for domestic glory but the need for European success will force them to regularly shift their gaze away from domestic concerns. As an outside bet AC Milan, with no Champions League distractions, could just spring a surprise on their fiercest rivals. They certainly have a better chance of Serie A success than Inter do in the Champions League. Ignore Inter's tempting price to win European glory at [9.6]... Mourinho and Inter will need more time to realise that particular dream.

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