The Derby della Madonnina isn’t just another match—it’s a city divided, a season hanging in the balance, and a chance for Inter Milan to pull away from AC Milan in the 2025-2026 Serie A seasonStadio Giuseppe Meazza. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 19:45 UTC, the two giants of Milan will lock horns in front of 75,000 roaring fans, and the starting XI’s are locked in. Inter, riding a 11-win streak in their last 12 games, sits atop the table with 24 points. AC Milan? Third, chasing, desperate. This isn’t just about pride—it’s about momentum.
Lineups Revealed: Two 3-5-2 Systems, One Explosive Clash
Both managers have gone all-in with a 3-5-2. For Inter Milan, Cristian Chivu has opted for stability over flash. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer (#1) anchors a back three of Manuel Akanji (#25), Francesco Acerbi (#15), and Alessandro Bastoni (#95). In midfield, the engine room is Nicolò Barella (#23), Hakan Çalhanoğlu (#20), and Carlos Augusto (#30), with Petar Šučić (#41) offering grit on the right. Up front, the lethal duo: Lautaro Martínez (#10) and Marcus Thuram (#9). This isn’t just a formation—it’s a statement.
Across the pitch, AC Milan’s Massimiliano Allegri has gone with his trusted core: Mike Maignan (#16) in goal, and the defensive trio of Fikayo Tomori (#2), Matteo Gabbia (#23), and Strahinja Pavlović (#46). The midfield is where things get interesting. Luka Modrić (#10)—yes, that Luka Modrić—has been reactivated after a quiet start to the season. He’ll partner with Adrien Rabiot (#14) and Youssouf Fofana (#79), with Alexis Saelemaekers (#56) and Davide Bartesaghi (#52) pushing high as wing-backs. Up top, the electric pairing of Christian Pulisic (#10) and Rafael Leão (#17) will test Inter’s high line like never before.
Injury Woes and Tactical Tweaks
But it’s not all clean sheets and perfect XIs. Inter Milan is missing Denzel Dumfries (right-back), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (midfielder), and Matteo Darmian (defender)—all sidelined with muscle strains, likely returning in early December. Goalkeeper Raffaele Di Gennaro remains doubtful with a fractured hand. That means Yvon Mvogo sits on the bench, ready if Sommer needs relief.
For AC Milan, the big absence is Santiago Giménez (#9), their top scorer this season. That pushes Christopher Nkunku to the bench, despite his recent form. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ardon Jashari are also reserves, suggesting Allegri wants control over chaos. The surprise? Davide Bartesaghi is favored over Pervis Estupiñán at left wing-back—a nod to his defensive discipline over pace.
Why This Match Matters More Than Ever
Inter leads Serie A with 26 goals in 11 games. AC Milan? 17. That’s not just a gap—it’s a chasm. A win for Inter would stretch their lead to five points. Five. In November. That’s not just a statement—it’s a stranglehold.
And the history? Seven of the last eight Serie A meetings between these two have ended with both teams scoring. That’s not coincidence. It’s pattern. The last time they met? A 2-2 draw in March. Both goals came in the final 20 minutes. This time? Expect fireworks.
Lautaro Martínez needs just one more goal to become the third Inter player ever to score 10 times against AC Milan. He’s already got 13 direct goal involvements in 20 career meetings. That’s not luck. That’s legacy.
Betting Odds, Predictions, and the Human Factor
Bet365 has the 'both teams to score' market at -136. Why? Because five of Milan’s last seven games featured goals from both sides. And Lautaro? At -110 to score or assist, he’s the safest bet on the pitch.
But here’s the twist: Inter’s Italian core—Barella, Bastoni, Dimarco—just returned from international duty with Italy. They played Norway in a tense 1-0 win. Fatigue? Maybe. But Milan’s Modrić? He’s been training for weeks. He’s not here to play. He’s here to win.
Bookmakers lean toward a 1-1 draw. Goal.com’s analysis says Lautaro and Leão will score. MilanMania’s forum user predicts a 2-2 thriller. And Sky Sports? They hint Acerbi might come on in the 85th minute. For what? A set piece? A defensive tweak? The details are still unclear.
The Bigger Picture: Title Race or False Dawn?
Inter’s attacking diversity is staggering: 12 different scorers, 12 assist providers. Only Martínez has hit double digits. That’s balance. That’s depth. AC Milan? They live and die by Pulisic and Leão. If they’re shut down? The whole machine stalls.
This isn’t just about three points. It’s about psychological dominance. Inter has won 11 of their last 12. AC Milan has won just two of their last five. The narrative is building. The pressure is mounting. And on Sunday, in front of a stadium that’s heard it all before, someone will crack.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 3-5-2 formation impact the Derby’s tactical balance?
Both teams’ use of a 3-5-2 creates a 5v5 midfield battle, forcing wing-backs to cover enormous ground. Inter’s Akanji and Bastoni are strong in transition, while AC Milan’s Tomori and Gabbia are better in one-on-one situations. The key will be whether Saelemaekers and Bartesaghi can exploit Inter’s high full-backs without leaving gaps. If Inter’s midfield controls the center, they dominate. If Milan’s wingers stretch them wide, it’s chaos.
Why is Lautaro Martínez so dominant against AC Milan?
Lautaro has scored 9 goals and provided 4 assists in 20 career appearances against AC Milan—a 65% goal involvement rate. His movement between the lines exploits AC Milan’s tendency to leave space between center-back and full-back. He’s also ruthless in front of goal, converting 21% of his shots against them—well above his season average. This isn’t just skill; it’s psychological edge.
What does AC Milan’s inclusion of Luka Modrić mean for their chances?
Modrić’s return isn’t just about experience—it’s about tempo control. At 39, he’s not fast, but he reads the game like a chess grandmaster. His ability to recycle possession under pressure could neutralize Inter’s aggressive pressing. If he plays 70+ minutes, AC Milan’s chances of a draw rise significantly. He’s the only player on the pitch who’s won a Champions League final against Inter.
Could fatigue from international duty decide the match?
Possibly. Barella, Bastoni, and Dimarco played 90 minutes for Italy against Norway on November 18. Inter’s training data shows a 12% drop in sprint distance in matches following international duty. AC Milan’s players had a full week off. That rest could be the difference in the final 20 minutes, especially if the game is tied. Inter’s depth is thin in midfield—Šučić and Augusto aren’t proven under pressure.
What’s the historical significance of this fixture in the 2025-2026 title race?
Since 2000, the winner of the November Derby has gone on to finish in the top two in 8 out of 10 seasons. The last time AC Milan won this fixture and didn’t finish top three? 2012. Inter’s current lead gives them breathing room, but a loss here opens the door for Napoli and Roma. This isn’t just a derby—it’s a pressure valve for the entire Serie A title race.
Who’s the X-factor nobody’s talking about?
It’s Davide Bartesaghi. At 20, he’s the youngest starter in either XI. He’s played just 145 minutes in Serie A this season. But Allegri trusts him defensively. If he holds his line against Thuram’s runs and doesn’t get pulled out of position, AC Milan can survive. If he gets caught high? Inter’s counterattacks will rip them apart. He’s the wild card.
