The ‘do-or-die’ derby: The Milan players who need a big performance vs. Inter

AC Milan versus Inter is the biggest fixture in the Serie A calendar, one that transcends Italy and is watched in all corners of the globe.

The magnitude of the occasion is always heightened when both Milanese clubs are fighting for something other than just city bragging rights, as was the case for large stretches of the 2010s, when the red and blue side had mutual struggles while Juventus racked up nine in a row.

Coming into this derby, the equation is quite a simple one: Milan must complete a league double over Inter to reopen any title discussions. The current gap is 10 points so only a win will do for Allegri’s men, while a draw or better for Chivu’s side surely puts a second hand on the trophy.

The derby has already been given the ‘do-or-die’ tag by Rafael Leao, as he told DAZN after the Cremonese game: “I ask my teammates to give their all and take it personally because it’s a do-or-die match.

“We’re going into it with all the respect for Inter, who are a great team, but also with the desire to get a positive result. We’ll have to prepare very well for the match, and the coach will do just that. I think the derby is a great game to play, and this week there will be a special, different atmosphere in the city.

“We’re not going out: we’re staying at home with the family and everyone has to find their own way to stay focused because it’s essential to be ready for the match. We’ll have to take advantage of the atmosphere, which will be very nice.”

While Leao’s words are unlikely to be aimed at any one player or group of team-mates in particular, there are some for whom this could be the night to make a mark and prove that they belong on the biggest stages.

Pervis Estupinan

As of Thursday night, Sky were reporting that Estupinan is favoured to start over Davide Bartesaghi on the left side. The Italian returned to full training on Friday but there are doubts over whether he will be risked from minute one, having limped off with muscle discomfort in Cremona.

This could be last chance saloon for Estupinan, if he does start. Replacing Theo Hernandez was never going to be easy, and whilst the Ecuadorian was not seen as a replacement with the same quality, more was expected from him.

He lost his starting spot to the (then) teenager Bartesaghi and doesn’t seem to have the full trust of the coach. If he can demonstrate with a performance full of character, attentiveness, quality and a bit of creativity too, then he might just silence those rumours of a summer sale for the time being.

Youssouf Fofana

In recent days, talk has once again fired up about Fofana’s future at the club beyond this season, despite the fact that he is the third-most-used midfielder for Allegri behind Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot.

Galatasaray are still believed to be keen having made a winter approach, but Calciomercato.com stated that the Frenchman doesn’t want to leave. He is tipped to start in the right mezzala role, and could demonstrate his important to Allegri again with his important work between the boxes.

The stamp of approval came from ex-Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini, who tipped him to star in the derby: “A derby surprise? Fofana. He’s been unlucky so far, far beyond his demerits. I like his attitude, and it shouldn’t be forgotten that he’s had to adapt to being a mezzala.”

Fikayo Tomori

There is no opponent that the Englishman has faced more in his career than Inter. He has played 14 derbies, winning five and losing six. That also means there is nobody in the squad with more experience in this fixture that the Englishman has (Mike Maignan also has 14 appearances).

Tomori had been inconsistent since the 2021-22 Scudetto-winning campaign, but under Massimiliano Allegri he has found himself a key pillar of the three-man defence, playing on the right side which seems to be a better fit.

There is talk of a new deal being in the air too. Yet, with the talk of a starter-level central defender arriving in the summer plus the emergence of Koni De Winter (who can also play on the right), Tomori needs to shrug off any inconsistency and have the game of his life, as the derby can bring out in him.

Christian Pulisic

Pulisic was the one who decided the previous derby this season, capitalising on a rebound to grab the only goal of the game. He scored eight goals in the first half of the Serie A season despite battling injury issues, and looked to be at his prolific best.

So far, though, 2026 has been a cursed year for the USA international. He has not yet got a goal or an assist to his name and he has missed some huge chances to get himself off the mark in the new calendar year. The forward still seems to be battling something, but the opportunities have fallen to him.

All the reports suggest that Allegri will keep faith in Pulisic alongside Rafael Leao. That being said, with his form perhaps the worst it has been and talk of a renewal not really heading anywhere positive, could this be the most important derby yet for the ex-Chelsea man?

The wild cards

Honourable mentions go to Alexis Saelemaekers and Koni De Winter, the Belgian duo who are tipped to start at RWB and CB respectively. For the former it is about regaining his best form in a fixture where being over-emotional is often a drawback; for the latter the aim is to keep playing at a high level.

There could be heroes off the bench in the derby, though. Looking in the midfield, Zachary Athekame’s crossing from the right could become a weapon, especially if Niclas Füllkrug comes on and Allegri goes more direct. The German is playing to prove he is worth signing permanently, as a reminder.

Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari are both fighting to demonstrate they deserve the third spot alongside Modric and Rabiot, and what better game to prove it. Then there is Christopher Nkunku, the €38m man whose future remains uncertain but should be unfazed by such an occasion, especially having had a better 2026.