MN: Kjaer and Thiaw to start together for the third time

AC Milan’s starting line-up for the derby against Inter will be almost identical to the side that took to the field in the first three games of the season, but only almost.

As MilanNews writes, Stefano Pioli will have to do without both Fikayo Tomori, who is suspended for one match after the red card against Roma, and Pierre Kalulu, who got injured over the break in training at Milanello.

Who will be there alongside Malick Thiaw? The answer is clear and the German’s comments last night seemed to confirm it: “The coach decides who plays with whom. Kjaer? I think he is a very experienced player, very good, who talks a lot and I feel very comfortable playing with him. I hope he feels comfortable playing with me too.”

The Danish defender will have to feel at ease with Thiaw because the two have only ever started together twice: against Cremonese in November 2022 (0-0 draw) and against Tottenham at San Siro in February (1-0 win).

The precedent is good therefore, with zero goals conceded on both occasions, but that was with them in a three-man defence and not as a pairing, while in Saturday’s derby it will be a 4-3-3 system.

It will be an unprecedented pairing in that sense. Kjaer’s experience could be fundamental, even if he will have to contend with the speed of the Nerazzurri attackers, with which Thiaw’s match rhythm will help.