Chivu’s big Derby test as Thuram returns for Inter Milan vs AC Milan

Cristian Chivu prepares for his first time as manager in a high-stakes Milan derby, boosted by the return of his lethal “Thu-La” strike duo

On Sunday evening, Inter Milan will face AC Milan in the derby. After a long absence, Chivu will be able to field his regular starting pair of attackers. 

“For Cristian Chivu, who was catapulted in the summer onto the bench of the Champions League finalists, this will be his first time as a coach. 

Yet it's not like he hasn’t experienced such nights: both as a Nerazzurro and as a Roman, he played in a total of sixteen derbies (five wins, five draws and six defeats).

Butterflies in the stomach will come in the next few hours, as soon as the group of internationals returns to Appiano Gentile. 

Today, the five Italy players coming back from the debacle with Norway will return, along with Calhanoglu (again in the crosshairs of Galatasaray), Zielinski and Sucic. Yesterday, captain Lautaro was seen again, and barring any last-minute surprises, he will return on Sunday to partner Marcus Thuram,” writes the Corriere della Sera via Fcinter1908.
Chivu is relying on the attack that, with 26 goals so far, is the highest-scoring in the league. Until now, Bonny and Pio Esposito tried to make up for the absence of the Frenchman (five goals combined for Inter Milan's backup forwards, against zero from AC Milan’s starters – Gimenez and Nkunku …), but now the “Thu-La” is about to return.

Return of the “Thu-La” duo: Thuram is back after injury to join Lautaro for Inter Milan

Fifty-four days after his last appearance, Thuram is ready to take the field alongside “the Toro”: his previous match was on the night of 30 September, in the Champions League game against Slavia Prague, when he was forced off due to a muscle problem in his left hamstring. 

Since then, the burden has fallen on the captain’s shoulders, who, at least this time, can prepare for the match without any last-minute returns from South America (after the friendly with Angola he came back to Milan on Saturday).
“Of course, unlike Max Allegri, who has no European commitments and can plan training calmly, Chivu will have to manage his energy ahead of the Champions League trip to Madrid next Wednesday. 

The standings in Europe smile on Inter Milan, top of their group alongside Bayern and Arsenal with 12 points, but at Appiano they cannot afford to ease off: they still need points to mathematically secure qualification to the round of 16. 

Meanwhile, the coach must resolve his last doubts: the main one concerns Dumfries, who is dealing with an ankle issue. In case of a withdrawal, Carlos Augusto is ready. After the setbacks against Napoli and Juventus, it’s time to show that Inter Milan is great even against the big teams. 

A sell-out at San Siro is expected, and a record match-day revenue (the previous record of €7,600,000 (£6.73 million) is on the cards,” adds the newspaper.