Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi is pushing to start in the Milan derby against AC Milan next weekend.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who report that the 35-year-old is fully fit and wants to break into the starting eleven for the derby on Saturday ahead of Stefan de Vrij.
Acerbi has missed each of Inter’s first three Serie A matches of the season.
The former Lazio and Sassuolo defender was out with a calf problem. He had picked the injury up in preseason training.
However, during the international break, Acerbi has made a full recovery from his injury.
And now, the Italian international has a clear goal in mind.
According to Tuttosport, Acerbi is hoping to make the derby his first start of the season.
Inter Defender Francesco Acerbi Wants To Start Derby Vs AC Milan
So far this season, de Vrij had been in good form in the centre of Inter’s back three.
The Dutchman has helped the Nerazzurri to keep three clean sheets from three matches.
De Vrij has looked composed and aerially dominant at the heart of Inter’s defender. Therefore, dislodging the 31-year-old from the lineup will not be an easy task for Acerbi.
But that was also the case at the start of last season.
Acerbi arrived from Lazio on deadline day last summer, initially seen as more of an experienced backup option rather than the automatic starter.
However, the Italian earned a starting spot in the Nerazzurri’s biggest matches.
This included starting every Champions League knockout match for Inter, including the final against Inter.
Naturally, Acerbi will feel that he has every chance of becoming first-choice again.
But de Vrij is currently standing in the 35-year-old’s way. Therefore, Simone Inzaghi will have the enviable task of deciding between the pair.