Milan-Inter Derby: March 8 at 20:45 Officially Confirmed
It’s now official: Milan-Inter will be played on Sunday, March 8 at 20:45 CET, broadcast live on DAZN. The most anticipated derby of the season finally has its confirmed slot in the calendar, and the entire Rossoneri camp is already focused on preparing for this crucial appointment.
Before the derby, however, there’s a hurdle to clear: the away match against Cremonese, scheduled for Sunday, March 1 at 12:30. A game that is far from straightforward — not only because of the three points at stake, but also due to a disciplinary issue that could significantly impact the lineup for the derby.
Four Players on Yellow Card Alert: Who Could Miss the Derby
Milan head into the Cremonese fixture with four players on a booking, all potentially at risk of missing the derby through suspension. A single yellow card against Cremonese would automatically rule them out of the most important match of the season.
The four players under scrutiny are:
- Adrien Rabiot – The French midfielder, who already served a one-match ban following a double booking against Como, finds himself on the edge once again. His absence in the derby would be a significant blow to Milan’s engine room.
- Alexis Saelemaekers – The Belgian is a key component of Allegri’s tactical setup, and losing him for the derby would be a serious setback.
- Fofana – The midfielder has been one of the standout performers of the Rossoneri’s season; his physicality and commanding presence in the middle of the park are invaluable.
- Athekame – The young Rossonero also features on the list of players one booking away from suspension.
Massimiliano Allegri faces a genuine tactical dilemma: does he risk fielding all four and hope they avoid cautions, or does he protect someone with the derby in mind? A decision that the experienced coach will address in the coming hours.
Gabbia Still Training Separately: Defender’s Condition Update
The news from the treatment room regarding Matteo Gabbia is not entirely encouraging. The Italian defender trained separately once again today at Milanello, and with the match just around the corner, a full recovery in time for Cremona looks unlikely. The most optimistic scenario sees him on the bench, ready to come on if needed.
An interesting detail about the squad’s preparation: Milan have been training every day at lunchtime, mirroring the 12:30 kick-off time. A meticulous choice by the coaching staff to acclimatize the players’ bodies and minds to match-day conditions. Even Allegri’s press conference has been scheduled at an unusual time — Saturday at 15:30 — to allow the team to complete their morning training session before departing for the team hotel near Cremona.
Allegri Demands a Mental Reset: Confidence to Lock Down Second Place
The manager’s message to the squad is unequivocal: turn the page. Following the recent outings against Como and Parma, Allegri has urged his players to “reset” and rediscover composure and calm, without letting anxiety creep in. The watchword is belief — the same belief that has driven Milan to build a strong and competitive season.
The league table context is also encouraging. This matchday features Roma vs Juventus, a direct clash between two rivals competing for European places. Should Milan win against Cremonese and Roma beat Juventus, the gap to fifth place would widen even further, edging the Rossoneri closer to mathematically securing second place. It’s an opportunity that simply cannot be wasted.
Lineup Decisions: Fofana vs Jashari and the Leão-Pulisic Partnership
Ahead of the trip to Cremona, Allegri has several selection dilemmas to resolve. In midfield, the absence of Loftus-Cheek has opened up a tight battle between Fofana and Jashari. The young Jashari, who appeared to have the edge in recent weeks, is now in a genuine fifty-fifty contest with his teammate. Yashari himself has spoken of living a dream at Milan, declaring he feels at 100% fitness and setting his sights on bringing the club back to the Champions League. Words that reflect the winning mentality within the group, further fuelled by Allegri’s experience and leadership — qualities the young midfielder has openly praised.
In attack, the most exciting prospect could be the partnership of Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic. The Portuguese winger and the American forward have shared the pitch as starters for just 377 minutes this season — barely more than four full matches. A remarkable statistic, given that Allegri’s original blueprint envisaged them as his first-choice attacking duo from the outset. The fact that Milan have accumulated 54 points while deploying them together so rarely speaks volumes about the untapped potential still waiting to be unleashed. When these two offensive talents finally find consistent rhythm alongside each other, the upside for Milan’s attacking output will be immense.
Transfer Talk: Milan Target Materazzi’s Nephew
Finally, a fascinating transfer nugget that has set tongues wagging: Milan are reportedly keeping tabs on Gianfilippo Materazzi, born in 2009, a striker currently playing for Lazio’s Under-17 side and the nephew of former Inter defender Marco Materazzi. The young talent, whose contract is nearing its expiry, is also attracting interest from Juventus, but Milan are actively evaluating the move. A potential signing would carry undeniable symbolic weight, given the surname’s deep association with the Nerazzurri colours: seeing him in a Rossoneri shirt would be a delicious plot twist that would add even more spice to the city rivalry, right on the eve of the derby.
