While Milan could be on the verge of losing three French stars to injuries because of their international commitments, Inter will benefit for several reasons. According to TF1 via FCInterNews, Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard are in pole position to start in France’s upcoming friendly against Germany.
In addition to Olivier Giroud’s ankle problem suffered during a 2-0 win against Ireland on Thursday, Milan could be staring down the barrel of a double injury blow ahead of next weekend’s Derby della Madonnina. Theo Hernandez and Mike Maignan have pulled out of Les Bleus‘ squad due to minor fitness problems on the eve of Rossoneri’s clash against Inter.
Losing three vital first-team members in less than a week threatens to knock Milan off their perch in the midst of a stellar Serie A start. Like Inter, Stefano Pioli’s men have won all three league matches, heading into September’s international break as the joint-leaders.
And while the ongoing international window has nothing but put Milan in harm’s way, it has had the opposite effect on Inter. Thuram took advantage of Giroud’s injury to open his France account only days after getting off the mark in the Nerazzurri shirt.
His international colleague and new Inter teammate, Pavard, is now looking to profit from Hernandez’s withdrawal. After losing his place in Didier Deschamps’ starting lineup, the Milan left-back’s injury has handed the versatile defender a lifeline.
France and Germany will lock horns in a blockbuster international friendly on Tuesday.
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