The first derby of the season remains a painful memory for Chivu, who was beaten in a match Inter largely dominated.
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Tonight, the Romanian coach intends to break a negative run stretching back beyond the second star derby and close that circle once and for all.
The official lineups for tonight’s Serie A match, which kicks off at San Siro, have now been confirmed.
AC Milan Vs Inter Milan – Esposito & Bonny Lead The Line Together For First Time
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 23, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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The major talking point comes up front, where Chivu is forced into an unprecedented attacking combination.
Lautaro Martinez remains unavailable through injury.
Although the captain takes his place on the bench to offer support and leadership from the dugout.
More significantly, Marcus Thuram has been struck down by fever and tonsillitis in the days leading up to the match.
Therefore, the Frenchman will miss tonight’s crunch match.
That opens the door for Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny to start together for the very first time this season.The young duo have shared only brief spells on the pitch together across the campaign.
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Indeed, making this a genuine unknown, but also a potentially thrilling one.
Esposito arrives on the back of a goal against Juventus and carries the weight of his Inter-supporting background with pride, while Bonny has recovered from the calf issue that troubled him against Genoa.
AC Milan Vs Inter Milan – Zielinski Continues As Regista With Mkhitaryan Ahead Of Calhanoglu
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Internazionale Milano and RB Leipzig at Stadio San Siro on November 26, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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In midfield, Piotr Zielinski continues in the deep-lying playmaker role he has made his own during Calhanoglu’s injury-interrupted spell.
The Polish international has thrived in the position under Chivu’s guidance, contributing five league goals alongside his creative work.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan takes one of the two advanced midfield spots, edging out Hakan Calhanoglu for a starting berth despite the Turkish international’s increasing fitness.
Calhanoglu, who played 59 minutes at Como, must make do with a place on the bench, though he remains a significant option from the dugout.
Nicolo Barella completes the three and wears the captain’s armband in Lautaro’s absence.
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On the right wing-back, Luis Henrique starts with Denzel Dumfries named among the substitutes.
The Dutchman is expected to play a significant role from the bench and he showed encouraging signs at Como and his return to full fitness is a timely boost.
AC Milan Vs Inter Milan – Official Starting Lineups
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal during the Coppa Italia match between FC Internazionale and Venezia FC at San Siro Stadium on December 03, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Estupiñán; Leão, Pulisic
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Bench: Terracciano, Pittarella, Odogu, Athekame, Estupinan, Jashari, Ricci, Nkunku, Fullkrug. Coach: Allegri.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Gabbia, Loftus-Cheek, Gimenez.
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Esposito, Bonny.
Bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Acerbi, De Vrij, Darmian, Dumfries, Carlos Augusto, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Frattesi, Diouf, Lavelli.
Coach: Chivu.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Lautaro.