Italy Veteran Back Fit For AC Milan Vs Inter Milan Serie A Derby Clash | OneFootball

Inter Milan defender Franesco Acerbi is back fully fit for Sunday evening’s Serie A derby clash with AC Milan.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They anticipate that the 36-year-old will start the match on the bench.

It has been right around two and a half months since Francesco Acerbi was on the pitch for Inter.

The Italian international picked up a thigh strain during a Serie A clash with Hellas Verona in November. That had been Inter’s first match back from the international break.

Initially, the hope was that Acerbi could make a swift return from that injury.

There were even reports that the former Lazio and Sassuolo defender might only miss a couple matches.

However, that has proven to be wide of the mark.

Francesco Acerbi Fully Fit For AC Milan Vs Inter Milan Derby

Acerbi’s recovery process has dragged on for well over two months now.

The 36-year-old has been back in training for a few weeks now.

MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 07: Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale in action during the pre-season friendly match between FC Internazionale and Al Ithihad at Stadio Brianteo on August 07, 2024 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

However, Acerbi has not actually played during that period. Moreover, he has pulled out of some matchday squads to focus on his recovery.

Particularly given his age, the issue for Acerbi is not so much healing the muscle strain – it has been getting into the physical form to play again and avoid reinjury.

So that process has seen Acerbi out of action for considerably longer than anticipated.

However, Francesco Acerbi will be in the squad this weekend. The Italian international missed Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Monaco, but he’ll be ready for the derby against AC Milan.

Nevertheless, it is not as though Acerbi will go straight back into Inter’s starting eleven. Rather, the Gazzetta reports, Stefan de Vrij will take his usual spot in the centre of the back three.