Former Inter Milan & AC Milan Player Hails Nerazzurri Starlet But Issues Warning Over French Midfielder: ‘Having Him Back Is Crucial’ | OneFootball

Former Inter and AC Milan forward Aldo Serena believes Francesco Pio Esposito is ready for his first senior Derby della Madonnina, while warning that Adrien Rabiot’s return could prove decisive for Milan this weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of Inter vs Milan, Serena praised the young Nerazzurri striker’s maturity and all-round game.

Esposito, he said, is an unusually complete forward for his age, with quotes via FCInterNews.

“He uses his body well, he’s unselfish and doesn’t look only at the goal even inside the box. At his age that’s something unique. He’s efficient and concrete. The future is his, he just needs to stay calm, and he seems like a balanced boy.”

Serena also compared the attacking pairs on both sides.

Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram remain, in his view, a natural partnership whose attributes amplify each other.

Milan’s duo of Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic, however, depend more heavily on vertical service.

Former Inter & AC Milan Player Backs Pio Esposito & Rabiot

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Francesco Pio Esposito of Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Indeed, one of the reasons Serena believes Cristian Chivu is considering starting Yann Bisseck ahead of Francesco Acerbi or Stefan de Vrij.

On the Rossoneri, Serena argued that Massimiliano Allegri has built “a fantastic midfield,” and the return of Adrien Rabiot is “fundamental” to their structure.

He noted Milan still lack a reliable finisher, with Santiago Giménez “not yet fully integrated,” but warned against reading too much into that.

Recalling, however, that the title-winning Milan side featuring Chiodi managed it with a striker who scored only once.

Finally, Serena underlined the emotional weight of the derby, even if it may not define the Scudetto race.

“The week after changes completely depending on whether you win or lose. There’s a powerful energy the grass even crackles. Psychologically, this derby matters a lot.”