AC Milan enters the 10th round of the 2026/27 Serie A season sitting fifth in the table with 18 points from nine matches, facing a crucial Derby della Madonnina against league-leading Inter Milan on Sunday, November 1, at 4:45 a.m. local venue time (UTC+1). Manager Rúben Amorim’s side trails their cross-town rivals by seven points in the standings, making the upcoming fixture a vital contest for the early scudetto race.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Recent Setbacks
The Rossoneri approach the high-stakes derby following a heavy 4–2 defeat to Bologna, which marked their first league loss of the current campaign. Conceding four goals at home exposed severe defensive vulnerabilities that Amorim must address quickly before facing the league’s most potent attack.
Injury Crisis Hits Key Defenders
Squad selection for the derby has been severely disrupted by a mounting injury list. Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are all ruled out of the fixture. Meanwhile, Fikayo Tomori sustained an injury during the loss to Bologna, leaving his availability for the starting XI completely uncertain as medical staff monitor his recovery.
🇮🇹Regular Season Serie A: Round 10AC Milan vs Inter1. Predicted Lineups: AC Milan: 4-2-3-1Davide Bartesaghi, Ardon Jashari, Sankhoun Diawara, Luka Modric, Christian Pulisic, Omari Hutchinson, Strahinja Pavlovic, Koni De Winter, Mike Maignan, Goncalo Ramos, Yunus Musah… pic.twitter.com/KxezmXisHx
Training Ground Returns Provide Options
Amid the defensive crisis, Milan received positive news on the training pitch as Adrien Rabiot, Mario Gila, and Diego Moreira returned to full team training. All three players are now in contention to feature in the derby squad. Rabiot’s potential availability offers a significant boost to a midfield unit looking for stability.
Projected Lineups and Tactical Setup
Amorim is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation for the clash. Mike Maignan will retain his place in goal. The three-man central defensive unit is projected to feature Mario Gila on the right, Koni De Winter in the center, and Strahinja Pavlović on the left, pending Tomori’s final fitness test.
On the flanks, Omari Hutchinson is anticipated to start as the right wing-back, with Pervis Estupiñán operating on the left. The central midfield pairing is slated to feature veteran Luka Modrić alongside Rabiot. Modrić started on the bench against Bologna but is widely expected to return to the starting lineup for the derby, while Rabiot is also expected to start if his physical condition permits.
The attacking midfield roles behind the central striker are projected to go to Christian Pulisic and Alphadjo Cissé. Cissé scored twice against Bologna, strengthening his case to retain his starting spot. Gonçalo Ramos is projected to lead the line as the central forward.
Standings Implications and Next Fixtures
With Inter holding a seven-point advantage at the top of the table after nine matches, a defeat for Milan would widen the gap significantly in the early championship race. Following the Milan derby, the Rossoneri will continue their domestic campaign with subsequent Serie A fixtures as the autumn schedule intensifies.
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