Allegri responds to Bartesaghi-Estupinan derby battle: “I might need both of them”

During today’s presser, Massimiliano Allegri responded to reports suggesting he hasn’t decided between Davide Bartesaghi and Pervis Estupinan for the starting eleven against Inter. 

Tomorrow’s derby is expected to be a big one and with two points currently separating the two teams, in favour of Inter, Milan could use the win to keep up with the top of Serie A. However, as Allegri highlighted during his press conference, the Nerazzurri are the favourites.

While most of the starting eleven is pretty obvious for the Rossoneri, multiple outlets have suggested that the Bartesaghi vs. Estupinan battle still has to be decided by the manager. When asked about it during the presser, he said that he might need both.

Have you already chosen between Bartesaghi and Estupinan? Does Dumfries’ absence have an impact?

“It doesn’t affect anything. I will have to decide today. Estupinan returned to Parma after 50 days without playing, Bartesaghi returned after two 90-minute matches with the national team, and he had a good training session yesterday. The match is long, so I might need both of them.”

The feeling is that Bartesaghi will get the chance, fulfilling a dream after coming through the youth ranks at the club. Dream aside, he has also been more consistent than Estupinan this season, with the Parma game being a huge step backwards for the Ecuadorian.