Derby of Fury: Injury Storm Threatens Inter and Milan Showdown
20 November 2025
Derby Drama Ahead of the Meazza Showdown
Inter and Milan head into Sunday’s clash at Giuseppe Meazza with a cloud of injuries and doubt hanging over their squads. The Derby della Madonnina promises fireworks, but fitness worries threaten to tilt the balance before kickoff.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Denzel Dumfries did not train with the full Inter squad after returning early from international duty with the Netherlands, dealing with an ankle issue that could rule him out of the derby.
The Dutch right-back’s problem stems from an ankle injury sustained while with Holland. The recovery timeline remains uncertain, and Inter will likely err on the side of caution given the magnitude of the match.
In addition to Dumfries, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian are sidelined for an extended spell, while Piotr Zielinski is also nursing a leg issue after representing Poland.
Manuel Akanji is expected to return from international duties, but his preparation time for the derby will be limited, complicating Inter’s planning for a match where every detail matters.
Turning to Milan, the main concern is Mexican forward Santiago Giménez, who has not trained at full pace due to an ankle problem, likely delaying his involvement and potentially keeping him on the bench for the next fixtures.
Luka Modrić has returned from Croatia and trained in the gym, with Rafael Leão, Christopher Nkunku, and Strahinja Pavlović also back in the frame later in the evening. Milan’s squad continues to blend veterans with emerging talents as they chase a positive result.
Adrien Rabiot is the biggest positive note for Milan, reportedly ready to return to full training after a month out with a muscle injury, boosting Milan’s options in midfield.
Inter’s season so far has been a roller-coaster: a big win to start, followed by surprise losses, then a string of results that keeps them at the top of the table. Milan’s form has been steadier in patches but still inconsistent, with a run that leaves them fighting for position close behind Inter and Roma.
In Serie A terms, Inter lead the standings on 24 points, level with Roma and two points ahead of Milan and Napoli, while boasting a healthier goal tally than their rivals. Milan, after a rocky start, have climbed to third with 22 points, showing their potential to push deep into the campaign.
