Derby Della Madonnina: Milan vs Inter
In a pulsating Milan city derby at the San Siro, AC Milan edged out city rivals Inter Milan 1-0 in the latest chapter of the famous derby known as the Derby della Madonnina. The result not only handed the Rossoneri local bragging rights, but also had meaningful implications for the Serie A 2025-26 title race.
Match Overview
- Final Score: AC Milan 1, Inter Milan 0.
- Goal: Came in the 54th minute via Christian Pulisic, who pounced on a rebound after a shot from Alexis Saelemaekers was parried by keeper Yann Sommer.
- Key moment: With about 16 minutes remaining, Inter were awarded a penalty after a foul by Strahinja Pavlović on Marcus Thuram following a VAR review—but AC’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved the penalty taken by Hakan Çalhanoğlu, sealing the win.
Key Moments & Turning Points
- Early Inter pressure: Inter began strongly. Within minutes, Thuram met a cross with a diving header that Maignan pushed away.
- Near-misses: Inter’s Francesco Acerbi headed against the post in the 27th minute, and Maignan again denied Lautaro Martínez’s volley just before half-time.
- Goal out of the blue: Despite being under pressure for much of the first half, Milan struck early in the second half via a swift counter attack. That moment altered the tempo.
- Penalty drama: With Inter pressing for an equaliser, Milan’s composure and Maignan’s save proved decisive. A missed spot-kick in front of a charged San Siro crowd is a match-defining moment.
Player Performances
- Mike Maignan (AC Milan): The hero of the night. Several crucial saves—including from Thuram’s header and Çalhanoğlu’s penalty—make him man of the match.
- Christian Pulisic (AC Milan): Delivered when it mattered most: calm in front of goal, clinically finished when the chance arrived.
- Inter’s attack: Dominated momentum and created multiple chances, but lacked end product and were undone by one break and one saved penalty.
- Inter’s defence & midfield: Though under pressure early, they almost broke through—but the margins were tight.
- Tactical discipline from Milan: Despite being under siege, Milan defended well and struck with efficiency on the counter.
Tactical Breakdown
- Formations & setups: While full line-ups were varied, Milan appeared ready to absorb early Inter pressure, then break. Articles highlight that Milan were more reactive, choosing transitions over dominance.
- Inter’s strategy: High possession, heavy use of crosses and pressing. Their early dominance reflected a more aggressive plan, but they lacked the finishing.
- Milan’s adjustments: Coach Massimiliano Allegri made tweaks: after conceding initiative, Milan re-balanced defensively and increased use of Saelemaekers & Pulisic in transition. He later stressed the need for consistency even after a big win.
- Turning point tactics: The switch came in the second half—Milan pressing the break, Inter pushing for the goal and leaving spaces. The penalty moment encapsulated this shift: Inter’s push forward, Milan’s vulnerable moment, and Milan’s keeper coming up big.
Fan Reactions & Atmosphere
The San Siro was electric: city-derby intensity, full of singing, colour, tension. Milan fans exploded when Pulisic scored, while Inter supporters held hope until the very last minute but were silenced by the saved penalty. Such a narrow derby victory creates euphoria for one side and frustration for the other.
“We created a lot of scoring chances, we met an incredible goalkeeper tonight,” Marcus Thuram told Inter’s media.
What This Means for the Season
- For AC Milan: This win moves them above their city rivals into 2nd place in Serie A, narrowing the gap to the top. The psychological boost from winning a derby is significant.
- For Inter Milan: A setback in the title race. From a three-match winning run, they drop to 4th place and must regroup quickly.
- Bigger picture: In a tight title-race season, such direct clashes between rivals become six-point swings. Milan’s clean sheet and narrow win could prove decisive in the long run.8