The derby between Inter and AC Milan is not for another 11 days, but there is already an air of it at Clairefontaine, which is the French national team camp.
La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how Olivier Giroud, Theo Hernandez and Mike Maignan are the three players who have reported for duty from Milan with France, while Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard have travelled from Inter.
In reality, rivalries are left at the entry gate when it comes to international football and in any case these are players used to managing club rivalries with a certain detachment.
Nonetheless, there is still competition for places. Pavard, a great friend of Giroud, is competing with Jules Koundé for the right-back spot. Théo Hernandez has to contend with his brother Lucas for the left-back role too.
The real pre-derby appetiser is the battle between the two strikers who will also light up the game between Inter and Milan. The veteran Giroud – the driving force behind the Rossoneri at the start of the season with four goals in three matches – against Thuram who has one goal and three assists with Inter.
It is a battle that becomes more heated also because the two compete for the place at the centre of the French attack. Of course, the 36-year-old Giroud leaves with the advantage of the status of France’s most prolific striker, with 54 goals.
Thuram has not yet scored for France, but he has not only the fact of being part of the coach’s circle of trusted attackers, but also is 11 years younger and thus Didier Deschamps could eventually decide to start passing the baton.
But all means. Rest Oli. Start Thuram.