MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: AC Milan’s Adrien Rabiot applauds the fans after the final whistle of the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot says he is ready “mentally and physically” to take part in this weekend’s first Madonnina derby between Milan and Inter, explaining why he is enjoying his job so much under Massimiliano Allegri and explaining why he had to turn down Nerazzurri striker Markus Thuram last week.
The Frenchman gave an in-depth interview to DAZN ahead of the first match of the season between Milan and Inter, scheduled for Sunday at 19:45 GMT. The Nerazzurri are designated as the home team.
For Rabiot, the derby is an opportunity to make a comeback after a month on the sidelines after sustaining a calf injury during the October international break.
Before the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli held at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Ruzzani/Getty Images)
“I’m feeling good. I’ve been practicing outside and in the gym for the last few weeks. I just miss being on the pitch. I’m feeling really good, mentally and physically,” Rabiot said. said Dazone.
“No player likes to get injured. It’s a shame not being able to help the team. I have to take care of my calf, so it will take some time to recover. I don’t want to risk being out for another three or four weeks.”
Milan would be better off with Rabiot in the starting lineup.
Numbers don’t lie. Milan did well when Rabiot started.
The Rossoneri have picked up 10 points from the four Serie A games the Frenchman has played this season, but have picked up just nine points from the last five league games in which he was absent, including disappointing draws against Pisa and Parma.
“I always think I can help. We are stronger with me. I always give my best and do the best for my teammates,” Rabiot said.
“We had some positive moments and some negative moments. We did well against the big teams, but against Pisa and Parma we were a little lacking. We lacked concentration, we lacked solidity as a team.”
Rabiot on Allegri: ‘He always finds the right thing to say’
Rabiot also explained why he is on such good terms with Milan and former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri.
“I’ve always been good friends with the manager and it’s great to be working together again. I like being with the right people. Milan is an extraordinary club with a lot of history and it would be great to win here. I think I’m in the right place to continue to develop and do what I love the most.”
“Allegri is great. He is always positive and knows how to communicate with everyone. I like his ‘anger’ on the pitch, his determination and drive to win. He always finds the right words in team discussions, even at the end of a game when we are not playing well.”
“The coach calls me ‘Crazy Horse.’ I’m an athlete who always gives it my all and goes up and down. He loves horses and racing.”
And what does Rabiot expect from Sunday’s first derby against Inter?
“It was a passionate game. I’ve never seen it at the stadium, but I love these kinds of games, so I can’t wait to get there. You can’t really feel the atmosphere on TV, but it’ll be nice to be able to say I played in a derby like this.”
“Maignan taught me the importance of this game and how important it is to win for our history and for our fans. All this motivates me, I can’t wait to play and I can’t wait to get back on the pitch, because I haven’t played for a month.”
Rabiot also explained that he recently had to decline an offer to meet up with his friend and international colleague Marcus Thuram. Thuram has also been sidelined with injury in recent weeks and is expected to return for the derby.
“Marcus is a friend of mine and we talked a few days ago. I message him before the derby. We can joke about these things, but not too much. We talk a little about everything. He asked me if I was free to go somewhere during this holiday, but I had to work, so I preferred to focus on recovery. But we will talk, and we have a good relationship.”
Asked who he thought was stronger between Marcus and Kefren Thuram, Rabiot replied: “When Marcus talks about his brother, he says he (Kefren) is stronger, he has more quality, he’s young and still has a lot to prove.”
And does Rabiot feel Milan can win the Scudetto this season?
“We have a strong team. With my mentality, I try to push all my teammates to do their best. It’s a strong group. The important thing is to keep getting closer to first place, but there’s still a long way to go. I’m trying to get all my teammates to do their best.”
“There are so many games in November and December, including the Supercoppa, which is another goal of ours. You can expect us to do a little better in February.”
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