Milan are Rosso i Nero once again. The Rossoneri claimed the Derby della Madonnina against Inter Milan, and the men of Massimiliano Allegri now move back within seven points of Inter.
The stakes for this match were simple: survival or death for Milan. Riding an impressive run that had propelled Inter comfortably to the top of Serie A, the Nerazzurri came into the game with a ten-point cushion. Milan had no choice but to win. It was also another big stage for Christian Pulisic to shine and continue preparing for the summer rendezvous with the World Cup.
And Milan responded loud and clear. Set up in a 3-6-1 formation, with Pulisic dropping deeper into midfield, Milan managed to link up effectively through the combinations of the trio Luka Modrić, Youssouf Fofana, and Adrien Rabiot. Among them, Fofana stood out the most. Comfortable on the ball and relentless without it, he was the architect of Milan’s opening goal. His superb pass found Pervis Estupiñán, who calmly beat Yann Sommer.
Milan relied on a strong midfield, a well-organized central structure, and a strategy that left Inter’s wide players largely isolated. Behind it all stood an imperious Mike Maignan. Already the hero with a penalty save in the first meeting, the French goalkeeper once again frustrated the Inter attackers, highlighted by an outstanding stop against Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Milan midfield trio successfully neutralized Inter’s own, and the calm presence of Luka Modrić proved invaluable in managing the team’s difficult moments.
After 65 minutes of sterile possession, Inter finally accelerated, but only Federico Dimarco managed to create real danger through crosses. Despite a long unbeaten run since the defeat in the first meeting, Inter looked unconvincing in open play and failed to rise to the occasion in a major match.
Without the controversial refereeing help they received in the Derby d’Italia against Juventus FC, Inter would not have a single win against the three major teams in the league. Physically worn down, the Nerazzurri will have to ask themselves serious questions if they want to avoid falling back into their old habits.