The build-up to Saturday’s derby between Inter and AC Milan continues, and the media this morning have underlined the fact that a number of players could get their first taste of Italy’s biggest game.
According to this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), Stefano Pioli will start Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, and Tijjani Reijnders against the Nerazzurri.
The others, for the time being, will have a front-row seat to the San Siro extravaganza. The derby has a long history of debutants who soon rose to prominence, from Ronaldinho to Kakà.
Then there are individuals who have won the hearts of the supporters, such as Olivier Giroud following his brace in the Scudetto season, which proved to be a watershed moment.
After growing acquainted with the London derbies, Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek will be familiar with the Milan derby. Pulisic scored five goals in seven games against Crystal Palace, one of London’s many clubs, making them his favorite opponent.
Pulisic also appeared in seven Ruhr derbies, including the game between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04, which is often regarded as the strongest rivalry in the country.
His first Italian derby will take place two days before his 25th birthday. “Winning and scoring would be the best gift,” Pulisic remarked upon his arrival in town.
He was successful.
from the penalty spot in the USA’s 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan, and his second encounter with his national team will take place in the early hours of Wednesday morning (European time) against Oman.
His return to Italy will take place on Wednesday afternoon, and his first training session with the club will take place on the eve of the match, but Pulisic will play against Inter because he is already a key member of the assault.
Another derby rookie, Samuel Chukwueze, will take over in the second half. He scored in the closing quarter of an hour of Nigeria’s 6-0 triumph against Sao Tome and Principe in African Cup of Nations qualifiers yesterday.
He will return to Milanello today, but he will not play in the derby.
He will start on the bench, but will be able to extend his playing time in the coming games.
Tijjani Reijnders has never faced a team from the same city in his career, and it will be much more special for Luka Jovic, who will face Inter with his third different team after Eintracht Frankfurt and Fiorentina.
Luka Romero would also make his debut if he came off the bench and may bring some derby volatility, while Marco Pellegrino could also make his debut considering the troubles at center-back.
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