Cristian Chivu has named his Inter Milan aspect for tonight’s Milan derby, with Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny main the road, a fixture that might go a good distance towards deciding the Scudetto with the Nerazzurri trying to open up a thirteen-point lead over their metropolis rivals.
The first derby of the season stays a painful reminiscence for Chivu, who was crushed in a match Inter largely dominated.
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Tonight, the Romanian coach intends to interrupt a detrimental run stretching again past the second star derby and shut that circle as soon as and for all.
The official lineups for tonight’s Serie A match, which kicks off at San Siro, have now been confirmed.
AC Milan Vs Inter Milan – Esposito & Bonny Lead The Line Together For First Time
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his workforce’s third aim in the course of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 23, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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The main speaking level comes up entrance, the place Chivu is compelled into an unprecedented attacking mixture.
Lautaro Martinez stays unavailable via harm.
Although the captain takes his place on the bench to supply assist and management from the dugout.
More considerably, Marcus Thuram has been struck down by fever and tonsillitis within the days main as much as the match.
Therefore, the Frenchman will miss tonight’s crunch match.
That opens the door for Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny to start out collectively for the very first time this season.
The younger duo have shared solely transient spells on the pitch collectively throughout the marketing campaign.
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Indeed, making this a real unknown, but additionally a probably thrilling one.
Esposito arrives on the again of a aim towards Juventus and carries the load of his Inter-supporting background with delight, whereas Bonny has recovered from the calf difficulty that troubled him towards Genoa.
AC Milan Vs Inter Milan – Zielinski Continues As Regista With Mkhitaryan Ahead Of Calhanoglu
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale appears on in the course of the heat up previous to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Internazionale Milano and RB Leipzig at Stadio San Siro on November 26, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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In midfield, Piotr Zielinski continues within the deep-lying playmaker function he has made his personal throughout Calhanoglu’s injury-interrupted spell.
The Polish worldwide has thrived within the place underneath Chivu’s steerage, contributing 5 league targets alongside his artistic work.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan takes one of many two superior midfield spots, edging out Hakan Calhanoglu for a beginning berth regardless of the Turkish worldwide’s rising health.
Calhanoglu, who performed 59 minutes at Como, should make do with a spot on the bench, although he stays a big possibility from the dugout.
Nicolo Barella completes the three and wears the captain’s armband in Lautaro’s absence.
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On the suitable wing-back, Luis Henrique begins with Denzel Dumfries named among the many substitutes.
The Dutchman is predicted to play a big function from the bench and he confirmed encouraging indicators at Como and his return to full health is a well timed enhance.
AC Milan Vs Inter Milan – Official Starting Lineups
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his workforce’s fifth aim in the course of the Coppa Italia match between FC Internazionale and Venezia FC at San Siro Stadium on December 03, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Estupiñán; Leão, Pulisic
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Bench: Terracciano, Pittarella, Odogu, Athekame, Estupinan, Jashari, Ricci, Nkunku, Fullkrug. Coach: Allegri.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Gabbia, Loftus-Cheek, Gimenez.
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Esposito, Bonny.
Bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Acerbi, De Vrij, Darmian, Dumfries, Carlos Augusto, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Frattesi, Diouf, Lavelli.
Coach: Chivu.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Lautaro.
