On what would otherwise be a gloomy evening at San Siro, the sun is beginning to shine again at Milanello. Since this morning, optimism has risen markedly, with the list of injured players noticeably shorter than the swollen one before the match against Bologna. The reassuring news comes from the trio who had raised the white flag before the match against Udinese: Gila, Rabiot and Moreira trained with the group today, receiving the green light to be included in the squad for the derby.
The match against Bologna clearly showed the weight of their absences. However, it must be emphasised that not all of them are in the same situation. The best off is Gila (ankle overload), who will return regularly to his position on the right flank. This is excellent news, not only because the Spaniard is – without question – the best summer signing in terms of performance, but also because Tomori had to leave the pitch after a stretch of play against Emilia’s side due to hip problems. Rabiot (thigh fatigue, his situation is more delicate) and Moreira (hamstring fatigue) pose more question marks than Gila, but returning to work with teammates is a very good sign. It may be that only one of them will take the field – in terms of importance, more Rabiot than Moreira – but certainly in these hours Amorim is trying to determine whether he can count on both from the first minute.
On the other hand, the Portuguese coach was clear after the Bologna match, stating that “we will take some risks”. This is especially important because, after the disappointing performance against Bologna, this derby takes on crucial significance for the short- and medium-term course of the “Devil”. With Gila, Rabiot and Moreira recovered, the number of injured players would drop to six: Gabbia, Saelemaekers, Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Tomori (under evaluation) and Pietro Terracciano.
In terms of the starting line-up, there could be a 4-3-3 with a midfield formed by Musah, Modric and Rabiot, and a trident with Hutchinson, Ramos and Pulisic. In the case of a 4-2-3-1, Rabiot would move forward into the trequartista role. Tactical details will become clearer during the next day, but for now we must be content with the good news about the recovery of important players: they are very much needed in the red-and-black home.
Sourced from La Gazzetta dello Sport