Adrien Rabiot Ready for the Derby: “I Want to Write My Name in Milan’s History”
Excitement is building ahead of the Milan derby scheduled for Sunday, March 8 at 20:45 CET at San Siro, where a sell-out crowd is expected. Adrien Rabiot has fired up the Rossoneri faithful with words brimming with determination, expressing his desire to leave an indelible mark on the club’s history: “I want to keep winning. I play football for the challenges, to push beyond limits. I want to write my name in the history of every team I’ve played for. Now I want to do it at Milan.”
The Bond with Allegri and the Decision to Join Milan
The French midfielder was always convinced about moving to Milan, a decision greatly influenced by the presence of Massimiliano Allegri on the bench. The Italian manager was a true driving force behind the deal — without his involvement, the transfer of the former Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain star would likely never have materialized. Rabiot confirmed this special relationship: “With him, there’s the ambition to do well, to give everything, to train at 100% and to play every match as if it were the last.”
Rabiot Praises Luka Modrić: “Extraordinary Physique at Nearly 40”
In the derby, the Frenchman will line up alongside Luka Modrić in midfield, forming a partnership of immense international pedigree. Rabiot had words of great admiration for the Croatian maestro: “What amazed me is that he can run up and down the pitch for 90 minutes at nearly 40 years old. That’s not something you take for granted. He has an extraordinary physique.”
The former Real Madrid Ballon d’Or winner continues to defy expectations: he delivers not only sublime technical quality but also remarkable work rate and consistency. Modrić’s meticulous approach to weekly preparation ensures top-level performances match after match, earning universal praise from every teammate.
Rabiot’s Second Derby: The November Precedent
Sunday will be Rabiot’s second derby in Rossoneri colors. In the first leg back in November, Milan triumphed thanks to a decisive goal from Christian Pulisic, the American forward who has been in outstanding form all season. The memory of that victory provides a significant confidence boost for the entire squad heading into the return fixture at home.
Bartesaghi Nearing Recovery, Estupiñán Favored to Start
Encouraging news also comes from the treatment room ahead of the derby. Davide Bartesaghi, who had been training individually with light jogging on the pitch in recent days — a positive sign of improvement — is expected to undergo a decisive fitness test with the squad today. Should the response be positive, the young full-back could make the matchday squad, although Cristhian Estupiñán remains the favorite to start on the left flank. The most likely scenario sees the Ecuadorian starting, with Bartesaghi potentially coming on as a substitute. The final call, as always, will be manager Allegri’s to make.
The atmosphere at Milanello is buzzing with optimism: with San Siro sold out and a united, motivated squad, Milan are preparing to face Inter with the determination to replicate their first-leg success and deliver another memorable night for their fans.
