Inter and AC Milan worry as big names increasingly in doubt for derby | OneFootball

It is increasingly unlikely that Denzel Dumfries or Santiago Gimenez will be available for Inter and AC Milan in Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina.

It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.

Both teams are waiting on some last minute fitness updates to assemble their squads, but the latest news from the training grounds are not positive.

Inter and AC Milan stars delay return

Denzel Dumfries celebrates scoring for Inter against Union Saint-Gilloise (@inter)

According to Sky Sport Italia, Dumfries has again not been training with the full Inter group after returning early from international duty with the Netherlands.

He is suffering from an ankle injury and it is taking longer to heal than initially hoped.

As long as the pain continues and is preventing him from training regularly, then he probably won’t be risked for the big match this weekend.

VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 02, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian are long-term absentees, while Piotr Zielinski is also carrying a calf issue after his performances for Poland.

Manuel Akanji will be the last to arrive back from international duty, as he is expected at the Appiano Gentile ground on Thursday.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates with teammates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Milan also have concerns, because once again today Gimenez was not in full training with the rest of his teammates.

The centre-forward continues to battle that ankle issue that already forced him out of international duty with Mexico.

It is more likely than not he will postpone his return even to the Milan bench until next week’s clash against Lazio.

Luka Modric arrived back from Croatia and worked only in the gym, with Rafael Leao, Christopher Nkunku and Strahinja Pavlovic also back today.

They expect Alexis Saelemaekers, Koni De Winter, Zachary Athekame and Davide Bartesaghi at Milanello on Thursday.

The big news on Tuesday was Adrien Rabiot back in full training with his teammates, as he is ready for his return after a month out with a muscular injury.