Tonight, San Siro will be electric. Milan and Inter face off in the Derby della Madonnina in front of a historic crowd: 77,000 spectators, made possible by the reopening of a section of the third tier that had been closed for safety reasons over the past 8–9 years. A record attendance not seen in nearly a decade — a testament to the unwavering passion of the Rossoneri faithful.
The Response After Bologna
Milan head into the derby hungry for redemption following the 4-2 home defeat against Bologna. That result stung, but a derby is always a different beast — history, pride and three points on the line. Rúben Amorim knows this game means more than just points, and his preparations during the week appear to have paid off.
Probable Lineup: Amorim’s 4-4-1-1
In training the day before the match, the Portuguese manager worked on a 4-4-1-1 setup, flexible enough to shift into a 4-3-3 going forward or a solid 4-5-1 when defensive cover is needed. The probable starting eleven is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
- Defence: Mario Gila, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlović, Sankhoun Diawara
- Midfield: Diego Moreira, Yunus Musah, Luka Modrić, Christian Pulisic
- Attacking midfield: Adrien Rabiot
- Attack: Gonçalo Ramos
The Three Returns That Change Everything
The most encouraging news involves three key players back in the fold: Mario Gila, Diego Moreira and Adrien Rabiot, all absent in recent matches against Udinese and Bologna, are set to start. Amorim explained the cautious approach: the trio had been available shortly after the Bologna match, but the manager chose not to rush them. For the derby, however, their contribution is considered essential.
Also confirmed are Modrić in midfield, Musah alongside him, and Pulisic in the attacking role. The American captain, fresh from signing his contract renewal, will start from the first minute. Up front, Gonçalo Ramos leads the line once again.
Diawara at Left-Back: A Bold Call
The one surprise is Sankhoun Diawara starting at left-back, ahead of both Pervis Estupiñán and Davide Bartesaghi. A daring choice from Amorim, who is backing the Franco-Senegalese defender brought in during the January transfer window. As recently as January, Diawara was playing in the French second division — yet he impressed in the away win at Udine and has earned the manager’s trust for a stage as big as the derby. It’s worth noting that Amorim views Bartesaghi more as an attacking wide player than a defensive full-back.
Injuries and Amorim’s Reasoning
The injury crisis continues to cast a shadow: the latest victim is Fikayo Tomori, who picked up a hamstring muscle problem and is expected to be out for at least a month. Amorim took responsibility head-on: “If there’s blame to be had, it’s mine as the manager — I have to account for each player’s physiological history when I make decisions.” He also revealed a behind-the-scenes detail about Alphadjo Cissé: after his hat-trick against Salzburg, the young forward was kept out of subsequent matches due to a pubic complaint, managed carefully to avoid further damage.
The simultaneous absence of Samuel Chukwueze, Alexis Saelemaekers and Moreira on the flanks forced Tomori into an unfamiliar role, creating a vicious cycle that compounded the injury issues. Moreira’s return is therefore doubly valuable.
Amorim: “If You Play for Milan, You Must Fight for the Title”
On the eve of the match, Amorim sent a clear message to his squad: “If you play for Milan, you have to fight to win the Scudetto.” At the same time, with Milan sitting seven points behind Inter in the table, the manager urged realism, calling for humility and patience. A difficult balance to strike, but a necessary one for building something lasting. Amorim also made clear he feels no envy towards Cristian Chivu — he is fully at home in Milan and committed to the Rossoneri project for the long haul.
Tonight, the answer must come on the pitch, in front of 77,000 fans ready to roar.
