AC Milan Vs Inter Milan – ‘Sliding Doors’ Moment Sees Man City Loanee Face Belgian Talent In Derby Showdown | OneFootball

Sunday’s Milan derby features a fascinating subplot, Manuel Akanji and Koni De Winter could easily have ended up at each other’s clubs, in one of football’s classic sliding doors moments according to Tuttosport.

Inter held serious discussions with Genoa over De Winter last summer before Milan swooped to take the Belgian defender to the Rossoneri, according to FCInterNews.

Meanwhile, Milan had also targeted Akanji, reaching a preliminary agreement with Manchester City for a loan with a purchase option of around €15 million.

That deal collapsed when Akanji himself vetoed the move, preferring Inter over Milan for the opportunity to play Champions League football.

He ultimately arrived at the Pinetina as the replacement for Benjamin Pavard.

Inter Delighted With Akanji As De Winter Struggles At Milan

VERONA, ITALY – APRIL 13: Koni De Winter of Genoa during the Serie A match between Verona and Genoa at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on April 13, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The contrast in outcomes could hardly be more stark. Akanji has become the cornerstone of Inter’s backline this season, and Tuttosport describe his permanent signing as “a foregone conclusion, a mere formality that will become automatic in the event of a Scudetto win.”

His performances, passing statistics and new-found goal threat have made the €15 million purchase option look like extraordinary value.

Both defenders will line up on opposite sides of the city divide on Sunday, each having ended up exactly where they chose to be, or, in De Winter’s case, where Inter chose not to keep pursuing.

Football’s what-ifs rarely play out quite so neatly.