AC Milan have received a timely triple injury boost ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated Derby della Madonnina against Inter Milan, with Adrien Rabiot, Mario Gila and Diego Moreira returning to full training after spells on the sidelines.
The trio completed Thursday’s training session alongside their teammates, offering head coach Massimiliano Allegri additional options as Milan prepare for one of the most important fixtures of their Serie A campaign.
According to reports in Italy, the three players have made sufficient progress in their recovery to rejoin the main group, raising hopes that they could feature in the city derby at San Siro.
Rabiot’s return is particularly encouraging for Milan, given the French midfielder’s importance to the team’s balance, physicality and ability to compete in midfield. His availability had been in doubt, with expectations that he could miss the showdown against Inter.
However, his participation in Thursday’s full training session has improved his chances of being considered for the weekend encounter. His eventual involvement will depend on his fitness and the coaching staff’s assessment ahead of the match.
The potential return of Gila also provides Milan with another defensive option, while Moreira’s recovery adds further depth to the squad at a crucial stage of the season.
Milan will be eager to welcome the returning players after suffering a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Bologna at San Siro on Wednesday. The result dealt a setback to their domestic campaign and increased the importance of responding positively against their fierce city rivals.
The defeat exposed problems Milan will need to address before facing an Inter side determined to secure bragging rights in the Derby della Madonnina. Regaining the services of several players could help Allegri adjust his selection and strengthen the team’s options across different areas of the pitch.
Nevertheless, the positive news from the training ground has been accompanied by fresh concerns over the availability of other first-team players.
Defender Fikayo Tomori requires further medical assessment after reportedly sustaining a new injury during the defeat to Bologna. His condition remains a concern ahead of Saturday’s fixture, with Milan awaiting further clarity on whether he will be available.
Alexis Saelemaekers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Samuel Chukwueze and Matteo Gabbia have also been ruled out of the derby, leaving Milan without several established squad members.
Their absences could influence Allegri’s tactical approach, particularly as he weighs his defensive and midfield options against an Inter team expected to approach the encounter with considerable intensity.
For Milan, the immediate priority will be to assess the returning trio’s fitness and determine whether any of them are ready to contribute from the start or the bench.
Rabiot’s potential availability could prove especially valuable in a fixture where midfield control, physical duels and the ability to withstand pressure often play decisive roles. Gila’s return could also provide useful defensive cover if Tomori is unavailable, although Milan will need to evaluate their options carefully.
The derby offers Milan an opportunity to put the Bologna disappointment behind them and deliver a response against their biggest local rivals. However, the club’s final team selection will depend on the condition of the returning players and the outcome of further medical assessments.
With both sides preparing for another fiercely contested meeting, Milan will hope their triple injury boost translates into a stronger performance when they take on Inter on Saturday.
