Official Starting Lineups – AC Milan Vs Inter Milan Serie A Derby: Hakan Calhanoglu Back From Start | OneFootball

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to start Hakan Calhanoglu in midfield against AC Milan. This evening’s Serie A matchday 23 clash kicks off at 18.0 CET.

The big lineup doubt for Inter heading into this evening’s derby clash with Milan concerned midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

The Turkish international has been on the sidelines for a few weeks with injury.

Calhanoglu’s last match for Inter was also against Milan – in the Supercoppa Italiana final last month.

However, the 30-year-old suffered a thigh problem in that match. Then, subsequently he also suffered a calf strain which has kept him out for a total of six matches.

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Crvena Zvezda at Stadio San Siro on October 01, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Calhanoglu returned to training this week – however there were doubts about whether the Turk would be ready to rush straight back to the starting eleven against Milan, or just the bench.

However, Calhanoglu is ready – Inter coach Simone Inzaghi starts him.

For the former AC Milan midfielder, moreover, derby clashes with his old side the Rossoneri are always especially important.

Inzaghi Goes With Full-Strength Starting XI For Derby

Apart from Calhanoglu, there were very few doubts for Inter’s starting eleven heading into this evening’s match.

Firstly, in goal it is certainly no surprise to see Yann Sommer start. Therefore, the former Bayern Munich veteran keeps up his record of starting every Serie A match for Inter this season.

Meanwhile, in defense it is the trio of Alessandro Bastoni, Stefan de Vrij, and Benjamin Pavard.

Next, in midfield Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan complete the usual trio alongside Calhanoglu.

Then, on the flanks Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries get the nod.

Lastly, in attack Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram lead the line.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of notable names on the Inter bench. Francesco Acerbi is back from injury, while Nicola Zalewski is available after completing his move from Roma on loan.

Official Starting Lineups AC Milan Vs Inter Milan: Calhanoglu Starts

AC Milan (4-3-3): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Theo Hernandez; Musah, Bennacer, Reijnders; Pulisic, Abraham, Leao. Substitutes: Sportiello, Torriani, Thiaw, Gabbia, Bartesaghi, Terracciano, Zeroli, Jimenez, Chukwueze, Okafor, Camarda, Jovic. Coach: Conceiçao. Suspended: Fofana (1 match). Injured and unavailable: Emerson Royal, Loftus-Cheek, Florenzi.

Inter (3-5-2): Yann Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez. Substitutes: Josep Martinez, Alessandro Calligaris, Francesco Acerbi, Yann Bisseck, Matteo Darmian, Carlos Augusto, Kristjan Asllani, Davide Frattesi, Piotr Zielinski, Marko Arnautovic, Giacomo De Pieri, Mehdi Taremi. Coach: Simone Inzaghi. Suspended: no one. Injured and unavailable: Raffaele Di Gennaro, Joaquin Correa.

Referee: Chiffi. Assistant referees: Carbone and Peretti. Fourth official: Marinelli. VAR: Di Paolo and Doveri.