Several AC Milan players are facing injury woes shortly before Saturday’s Derby della Madonnina against Inter.
The first Derby della Madonnina will be played this Saturday. Both AC Milan and Inter are currently leading the Serie A table with full 9 points each. The Two Milanese clubs have excelled in their first outings cementing their status as Scudetto contenders this year. Nevertheless, stats are not on the Rossoneri’s favor after losing the last 4 derbies against Inter.
Fikayo Tomori is suspended and will not be available for the derby. In addition, four Milan players, ironically all French, are battling with injuries of different degrees. There is no real worry for Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez. Precautionary measures were taken for both players but the presence of the two in the derby is guaranteed. In fact, both may even start from the first minute in France’s friendly match against Germany.
The situation is different for Olivier Giroud. The French striker left the national team after an ankle injury and returned to Milanello immediately. The AC Milan doctors are monitoring his condition on daily basis. Giroud should be available for the derby. The French striker will not be at his 100% but he will play against Inter regardless. Pioli and Milan need his experience and Inter is one of Giroud’s preferred victims.
Unfortunately, AC Milan are not optimistic on Pierre Kalulu. Muscle fatigue will likely keep the 23-year-old French defender out of the derby. Kalulu has done only personalized work and therapies on recent days and his recovery is a race against time. In the meantime, Stefano Pioli is already planning his starting eleven without Kalulu.
With Tomori suspended, the Italian coach has not other option but to deploy Simon Kjaer alongside Malick Thiaw at the center of the defence. The first substitute in defence will be new signing Marco Pellegrino. The Argentinian centre back will likely make his official debut in the derby against Inter.
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