Milan v Inter: Lautaro out as joint leaders Inter chase a first derby win in seven

Inter go into Saturday's Derby della Madonnina, the Milan city derby, at San Siro (20:45 local time) level with Lazio on 25 points at the top of Serie A and seven ahead of AC Milan, but without Lautaro Martinez. The forward (four league goals) has a left hamstring strain and is out until after the November international break, according to Sky Sport Italia.

The table raises the stakes for Milan. Ruben Amorim's side are fifth on 18 points after Wednesday's 4-2 home defeat by Bologna, their first league loss of the season, and an Inter win would leave them ten points behind after ten rounds. Lazio host Cagliari on Sunday and can go top alone if Inter drop points.

Seven derbies without a win

Inter have not won any of the last seven Milan derbies across Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa, and have not scored in the last three, La Gazzetta dello Sport notes. Their last derby win came on 22 April 2024, the night they sealed the title that earned their second star. Inter coach Cristian Chivu lost both derbies in his first season, even as he won the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia.

"If we haven't won in seven derbies, we have to ask ourselves a question," Chivu said on Friday. "Episodes and moments have gone their way."

Form

Inter have won their last four league games (3-0 against Parma, 3-1 at Bologna, 2-1 against Fiorentina, 2-0 at Venezia) and are unbeaten after nine, with the league's best attack on 25 goals. Wednesday's win in Venice, though, came from two own goals in the 79th and 82nd minutes. Marcus Thuram, Inter's top league scorer with five, has been involved in a goal in six of his last seven Serie A appearances, according to Sky. "He's fine, he has no deficit," Chivu said.

Before the Bologna defeat, Milan had drawn 1-1 at Sassuolo, beaten Atalanta 3-2 and won 2-0 at Udinese. Alphadjo Cissè, who scored twice on Wednesday, and Adrien Rabiot lead their league scoring with four goals each.

Team news

Amorim gets three players back: Rabiot, Mario Gila and Diego Moreira have trained with the squad, and he will decide on Saturday morning whether they start. Fikayo Tomori, injured against Bologna, has a hamstring tear and is out until December, according to Sky Sport Italia. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Matteo Gabbia and Samuel Chukwueze are also out. Amorim backed Milan striker Gonçalo Ramos, who has two goals in nine games after a €74m move from Paris Saint-Germain, to become "the man of the match" against Inter.

Inter are also without Benjamin Pavard and Luís Henrique. Josep Martinez is expected back in goal ahead of Ivan Provedel, though Chivu would only say: "We'll see tomorrow." Carlos Augusto had a fever and is doubtful, Corriere della Sera reports, with Alessandro Bastoni the alternative according to Tuttosport. Thuram's partner up front is open: Corriere expects Francesco Pio Esposito, ANSA names Ange-Yoan Bonny.