Defender Stefan de Vrij is still the favourite ahead of Francesco Acerbi to start for Inter Milan in the derby against AC Milan.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

In each of Inter’s first three matches of the Serie A season, de Vrij has started.

And the 31-year-old former Lazio defender has given a good account of himself. He has played a crucial role in helping the Nerazzurri to three clean sheets.

De Vrij’s aerial prowess, tough physical marking, and positional sense have all been on show.

Strikers like Cagliari’s Leonardo Pavoletti and Fiorentina duo Lucas Beltran and M’Bala Nzola have gotten no change out of de Vrij.

Therefore, it would perhaps be natural to expect that a starting place in the derby would be virtually automatic for the Dutchman.

But de Vrij will already be feeling another former Biancocelesti defender breathing down his neck. Francesco Acerbi is fully back to fitness.

Stefan De Vrij Still Favourite To Start Vs AC Milan – Despite Acerbi Competition

The reason that de Vrij has started every match so far for Inter is that Acerbi has been out with an injury.

The 35-year-old picked up a calf problem in preseason training.

Therefore, Acerbi has not been available at the start of the season.

De Vrij has made sure that Inter haven’t suffered Acerbi’s absence. But last season, it had been the former Sassuolo defender who had generally been first-choice.

Acerbi got the nod over de Vrij in each of Inter’s Champions League knockout matches.

And the veteran Italian international won plaudits for his performances, particularly his marking job on Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland in the final of the competition.

Therefore, Acerbi will surely feel that when he’s fit, he can vie for his starting spot again.

And the 35-year-old is fit.

But according to the Gazzetta, de Vrij should still hold on to his spot this Saturday.