Inter Milan vs AC Milan Preview, Prediction & Lineups Serie A 2025/26
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Match Preview
The eyes of the football world turn to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza this Sunday for the Derby della Madonnina. League leaders Inter host their city rivals AC Milan in a clash that could define the trajectory of the Serie A title race.1
The Nerazzurri enter this fixture in formidable form, sitting top of the table and fresh off dominant wins over Fiorentina and Lazio. However, they face an AC Milan side that—despite some inconsistent results—always finds an extra gear for the derby. With Lautaro Martínez looking to extend his derby scoring record and Rafael Leão aiming to silence his critics, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can Inter tighten their grip on the Scudetto, or will the Rossoneri paint Milan red?
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Inter vs AC Milan
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 13)
- Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milan
- Date: Sunday, 23 November 2025
- Kickoff Time: 20:45 CET / 19:45 GMT / 01:15 IST (Monday)
- Referee: Simone Sozza
- VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo (Expected)
- TV Channel (UK): TNT Sports 1
- TV Channel (USA): Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo
- TV Channel (India): JioStar, Sports18
- Live Stream: Paramount+ (USA), JioCinema/JioStar (India)
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Inter:
- Position: 1st in Serie A (Title Favorites).
- Form: Excellent. They have won 4 of their last 5 matches across all competitions, including a gritty 2-1 Champions League win over Kairat Almaty.
- Current Challenge: Managing a growing injury list in midfield (Mkhitaryan out, Calhanoglu/Zielinski doubtful) while maintaining their high-intensity 3-5-2 system.
AC Milan:
- Position: 3rd in Serie A (Chasing the leaders).
- Form: Mixed. While unbeaten in their last 5, they have drawn three times (vs Parma, Atalanta, Pisa), dropping valuable points against “smaller” sides.
- Current Challenge: Turning draws into wins. They need to find defensive solidity after conceding 2 goals in back-to-back draws against Parma and Pisa.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — What’s at Stake
For Inter:
- Psychological Dominance: Inter have historically had the upper hand in recent years (despite the H2H showing Milan wins in Cup games). A win here would open a significant gap at the top of the table.
For AC Milan:
- Statement Victory: Beating the league leaders would reignite their title charge and prove they are genuine contenders, not just top-4 hopefuls.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Team Form
Inter (Last 5 Matches):
- W vs Lazio (2-0)
- W vs Kairat Almaty (2-1)
- W vs Verona (2-1)
- W vs Fiorentina (3-0)
- L vs Napoli (1-3)
AC Milan (Last 5 Matches):
- D vs Parma (2-2)
- W vs AS Roma (1-0)
- D vs Atalanta (1-1)
- D vs Pisa (2-2)
- W vs Fiorentina (2-1)
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Team News
Inter:
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Out (Muscle Injury – A huge loss for midfield balance).
- Hakan Calhanoglu: Questionable (Wrist Injury – Will likely play through pain).
- Denzel Dumfries: Questionable (Ankle Injury – Unlikely to start).
- Piotr Zielinski: Questionable (Thigh Injury).
- Santiago Gimenez: Questionable (Ankle Injury – Late fitness test for the Mexican striker).
- Matteo Darmian: Questionable (Calf Injury).
- Tomás Palacios: Questionable (Thigh Injury).
AC Milan:
- Squad Health: Milan enters the derby relatively healthy compared to their rivals.
- Key Returns: Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic are fully fit and expected to start on the flanks.
- Selection Headache: The manager must decide between the experience of Álvaro Morata or the speed of Noah Okafor up front.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Head to Head
- 24 Apr 2025: Inter 0–3 AC Milan (Coppa Italia)
- 03 Apr 2025: AC Milan 1–1 Inter (Coppa Italia)
- 02 Feb 2025: AC Milan 1–1 Inter (Serie A)
- 07 Jan 2025: Inter 2–3 AC Milan (Super Cup)
- 23 Sep 2024: Inter 1–2 AC Milan (Serie A)
- Analysis: Surprisingly, AC Milan has dominated the recent H2H, winning 3 of the last 5 meetings. Inter will be desperate to correct this record.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Predicted Lineups
Inter (3-5-2):
With Mkhitaryan out and Dumfries doubtful, Frattesi and Carlos Augusto are set for key roles.
- GK: Yann Sommer
- CB: Benjamin Pavard
- CB: Francesco Acerbi
- CB: Alessandro Bastoni
- RWB: Matteo Darmian (or Buchanan if Darmian isn’t fit)
- CM: Nicolò Barella (C)
- CDM: Hakan Calhanoglu (If fit, otherwise Asllani)
- CM: Davide Frattesi
- LWB: Federico Dimarco
- ST: Marcus Thuram
- ST: Lautaro Martínez
AC Milan (4-2-3-1):
Milan will look to exploit Inter’s depleted midfield with pace on the wings.
- GK: Mike Maignan
- RB: Emerson Royal
- CB: Fikayo Tomori
- CB: Strahinja Pavlović
- LB: Theo Hernández
- CDM: Youssouf Fofana
- CDM: Tijjani Reijnders
- RW: Christian Pulisic
- CAM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek
- LW: Rafael Leão
- ST: Álvaro Morata
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Impact Bench Options
Inter:
- Mehdi Taremi: The Iranian striker is a chaotic presence in the box. If Inter are chasing a goal, his aerial ability is a massive weapon.
- Kristjan Asllani: If Calhanoglu can’t last 90 minutes, Asllani’s set-piece delivery becomes crucial.
AC Milan:
- Samu Chukwueze: His 1v1 dribbling against tired legs in the second half can destroy any defensive structure.
- Noah Okafor: A “Clutch” player who has a history of scoring late winners for Milan.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Tactical Outlook
Inter:
- Playing Style: Controlled Possession & Wing Overloads. Inter will try to isolate Dimarco against Emerson Royal. Without Mkhitaryan, their midfield transition might be more direct, relying on Barella’s energy to carry the ball.
- Weakness: Right Flank Vulnerability. If Dumfries is out and Darmian is carrying a knock, Rafael Leão could have a field day attacking that side.
AC Milan:
- Playing Style: Rapid Transitions. Milan will happily let Inter have the ball and look to spring Leão and Pulisic instantly upon winning possession. Theo Hernández will look to overlap constantly, creating 2v1 situations.
- Strength: Left-Side Dynamics. The Theo-Leão partnership is arguably the best in the world. If Inter doesn’t double-team them, they will create chances.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Denzel Dumfries/Darmian vs. Rafael Leão | Speed Mismatch: If Dumfries doesn’t play, Leão has a massive physical advantage over anyone else Inter puts there. | AC Milan |
| Nicolò Barella vs. Tijjani Reijnders | Midfield Engine: Both players cover immense ground. Barella is more aggressive, but Reijnders is cleaner on the ball. | Inter |
| Alessandro Bastoni vs. Christian Pulisic | Tactical Chess: Bastoni loves to push forward, leaving space behind. Pulisic is an expert at drifting into that exact space. | Tie |
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Spotlight Players
Lautaro Martínez (Inter):
“El Toro” lives for these games. With Inter’s midfield depleted, he may need to drop deeper to link play. His partnership with Thuram is telepathic, and he will be desperate to score after failing to net in the last H2H.
Theo Hernández (AC Milan):
The captain is the heartbeat of this Milan side. In derbies, he plays on the edge of aggression. His ability to drive from his own box to the opponent’s box is Milan’s best way to break Inter’s press.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Fan Reactions
Inter Fans:
“No Mkhitaryan is scary, but Barella steps up in big games. We need San Siro to be a fortress.”
“Leão vs. a half-fit Darmian gives me nightmares. We have to score 3 to win.”
AC Milan Fans:
“We’ve won the last 3 derbies (Cups/League). We own this city right now.”
“Just don’t concede from a corner in the first 10 minutes, please.”
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Where to Watch
- UK: TNT Sports 1
- USA: Paramount+, CBS Sports
- India: JioStar, Sports18
- Italy: DAZN
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Match-Defining Factors
- The Injury Toll: Inter are missing key rotation pieces. If the game goes to extra intensity, Milan’s bench looks healthier and fresher.
- Set Pieces: Inter are lethal from corners (Acerbi/Bastoni headers). Milan have struggled to defend aerial balls this season (conceding 2 vs Parma). This is Inter’s clearest route to goal.
- The “Leão” Zone: Everything depends on Inter’s right side. If they can’t stop Leão, they can’t win the game.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Prediction
Score Prediction: Inter 2–2 AC Milan
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Draw or AC Milan Double Chance (Value is on Milan given Inter’s injuries).
- Both Teams to Score: YES (Derbies rarely end 0-0; both defenses have leaks).31
- Total Cards: Over 5.5 Cards (Referee Sozza will be busy; tensions will be high).
Analysis: Inter are the better team on paper, but their injury list is worrying, especially in midfield and right wing-back. Milan have the psychological edge from recent H2H wins. Expect a chaotic, high-energy draw with goals from both captains, Lautaro and Theo.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — Final Word
It’s the Derby della Madonnina—form goes out the window. Inter are fighting to keep their top spot, while AC Milan are fighting for respect and momentum. With Inter’s squad stretched by injuries, the door is open for the Rossoneri. Expect fireworks, controversy, and a game that will be talked about for months.
Inter Milan vs AC Milan — FAQs
- When is the Inter vs AC Milan match?
The match kicks off on Sunday, 23 November 2025, at 20:45 CET (Monday 01:15 IST).32
Is Hakan Calhanoglu playing?
He is listed as Questionable with a wrist injury but is expected to start given the importance of the match.
Who is missing for Inter?
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is confirmed out. Dumfries and Zielinski are major doubts.
Where can I watch the match in India?
You can watch the Milan Derby live on JioStar and Sports18.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
Is Milan really “Black and Blue” or will the Rossoneri paint it Red? Drop your predictions below!
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