Here we go.

Great atmosphere at San Siro - or the Giuseppe Meazza if you prefer. Plenty of tifos and the like. Inter are the 'home' side today.

I don't want to say I'm badly organised but I thought this game kicked off at 19:45 BST - actually it's 19:30. So the players are out and we're almost ready to go.

The number of a derby is a thing people always seem to say - so this is the 222nd Milan derby, the 169th in Serie A.

It feels like every year is 'going to be their season' - but it is now seven years and counting since either Inter or AC Milan won a major trophy.

Inter are fourth this season, already nine points behind Juventus - with AC Milan down in 12th, four points behind their rivals.

Despite being much lower in the table, AC Milan have scored more league goals than Inter, 15 to 12. In fact, Milan have only scored more times at this stage once in the past 15 seasons.

Image source, Reuters

AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso: "Technically we don't feel they are better than us. It's probably the other way round, but physically there's some difference.

"We need to keep an eye on dead ball scenarios and their offensive movements. We respect Inter but mustn't bow our heads.

"We need all our players to put Gonzalo Higuain in the position to score and to win the game.

"Deep in my heart I really want to win this derby. The boys have trained well, with no pressure. I am always there for my players, they can play keep-ups with my heart."

Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti: "The derby is worth much more than three points for what it does to the minds of the players and the enthusiasm of the fans.

"This week we haven't thought about Barcelona [who they play in the Champions League on Wednesday] or the league table, just the derby.

"You could say this game is the thermometer to measure the Inter fever in the city.

"Since I arrived here, I've realised that Inter fans are more likely to forget the birthdays of their husbands or wives than they are the date of the derby. If you want to go down in the history of Inter... then you'll do it in this game."

Image source, EPA

Inter Milan make three changes to their most recent Serie A line-up before the international break. Stefan de Vrij, Matteo Politano and World Cup finalist Marcelo Brozovic all come into the line-up.

Milan make two switches as Davide Calabria and 23-year-old captain Alessio Romagnoli come in at the back. Gonzalo Higuain plays in his first Milan derby.

Record ticket sales revenue, ah the magic of football.

What are your favourite Milan derby memories? Do you still consider it one of Europe's biggest rivalries?

Tweet us at #bbceurofooty or text 81111 (UK only).

When I was asked to cover the Milan derby, I was reminded of that scene in Peep Show where Mark and Jez are at the theatre on a date.

If we close our eyes and really try hard, maybe we can pretend Paolo Maldini, Ronaldo, Adriano, Luis Figo, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko and Javier Zanetti are playing.

And not the fourth and 12th best teams in Italy.

“Why aren’t we watching television?"

“I can’t believe coming here costs more than a film."

“I’ve got Heat on DVD at home – we’re watching this when for less money we could be watching Robert de Niro and Al Pacino."

“I’m going to pretend I am watching Heat."

“OK, let’s pretend we’re just watching Heat.”

Image source, Peep Show