Among the various sub-plots in Milan derby games now is the battle on the flank between Theo Hernandez and Denzel Dumfries.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, fate put them in front of each other for the first time in the February 2022 derby when Olivier Giroud scored a brace and fired Milan to a massive win in their eventual Scudetto conquest.
The rivalry between Theo and Dumfries is not just any rivalry: over the last three seasons it has been bubbling away and it seems that when they meet it nearly always boils over.
Overall, the head-to-head between the two players has brought mixed fortunes also in the wake of the team’s results and it was almost always impossible to avoid direct confrontation between them given Theo is a left-back and Dumfries a right wing-back.
The coming together during the clash last Monday and the banner displayed during the Scudetto celebration are therefore not isolated and impromptu episodes, but rather the signs of a difficult relationship that has always been characterised by undeniable and explosive friction.
The first time they met the Frenchman won, but since then it is the Dutchman who has had the better in terms of results. In the first flash point, that 2-1 win for Milan in February 2022, Hernandez chased Dumfries and mowed him down from behind, getting a red card after they had squared up.
In the second episode of the saga, during the 0-0 draw in the 2021-22 Coppa Italia, it was the Milan player who got the better of that side, while in the league derby the next season Theo was better than his opponent again. The two has a coming together at the start of the match, each receiving a yellow card for the arguments.
From that point on, however, Inter’s dominance in the derby began and as a result Theo suffered terribly in these matches. Milan were eliminated from the Champions League in the semi-final and he gave away a penalty in the first derby of this season.
Only in the one national team meeting was the recent story reversed, with France beating the Netherlands 1-2 in the Nations League groups and Theo looking close to his best.
In the last week the rivalry exploded, starting from the decisive derby win. Dumfries came off the bench in the 84th minute, but that was enough for he and Theo to find themselves physically neck and neck, once again in injury time (94′).
The referee blew for a foul and Theo pushed Davide Frattesi, so Dumfries stormed straight to his nemesis, hands to his chest, then both held each other by the collar before their team-mates came in to diffuse it.
The following days added fuel to the fire. Hakan Calhanoglu spole with some team-mates in an Instagram live and at a certain point he focuses on his dog: “What’s his name, Denzel?”. Everyone laughed it off.
However, in the following days another live broadcast by the director features some talk about the dog – this time by Davy Klaassen – and then at the Scudetto party Dumfries accepted a banner with Theo on that has given rise to the current storm.
This is unprofessional and unsportsmanship action. Dumprie should be punished and the FIGC should bring an end to this. They’re spoiling the beauty of the game
I thought it was entertaining.. borderline scripted tho
The only thing Theo should do about it is calm down, focus on the game, play for the team and try his best to make us win.
Picking a fight with another player is not going to lead anywhere but cards and expulsions.
We’re fed up with with inter’s unsportsmanship and trash talk ? Good, take the next derbies and titles away from them then.