ROSSONERE DEFEATED IN THE DERBY

The second Derby di Milano of the Serie A Women season ends 1-0 to Inter, a result that secures second place for the Nerazzurre and effectively brings AC Milan's hunt for Champions League qualification to an end. The Rossonere are still mathematically in contention, but after Juventus' win away against Napoli Women, the Bianconere only need one more point to get to third place. It's a shame as Bakker's side undoubtedly deserved a better result at the Arena Civica in a hard-fought derby, handled well by Grimshaw and her teammates. 

AC Milan created plenty of opportunities over the 90 minutes, most notably Dompig hitting the crossbar early in the second half, and there were many chances created as a result of substitutes Stokić and Cernoia in the second half. We arguably deserved more on the balance of play, but the result told a different story. However, matchday 20 does not undo the hard work of a team that has consistently been improving in 2026, demonstrating clear progress (especially defensively), despite the average age of our starting XI being almost two years younger than Inter's. The Rossonere will now continue with confidence into the final 180 minutes of the season, to close out their campaign as best as possible, starting with their last home fixture on Sunday, 10th May at 12:30 CEST against Parma. 

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM INTER v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
The match got off to a lively start as in the ninth minute Inter created two chances: first, Vilhjálmsdóttir struck the crossbar from a set piece, and then Bartoli followed up with an attempt but was denied by Giuliani. AC Milan responded in the 13th minute with a promising cross from Kyvåg, but Van Dooren missed it by mere inches. Grimshaw then tried her luck from distance in the 18th minute, but Rúnarsdóttir picked up the ball comfortably. The 24th minute featured a well-worked move as Arrigoni set it in motion, Grimshaw let it pass, and Van Dooren's effort went just past the top corner. Just four minutes later, the Rossonere took another shot from distance as Mascarello fired just over the bar. After a spell with fewer opportunities, Inter broke the deadlock right before half-time with a precise low strike from distance by Bugeja. 

The second half got underway without any changes for AC Milan, and they immediately found a major chance: Dompig burst forward in the 50th minute, drove into the box, and unleashed a left-footed shot that hit the crossbar. In the 53rd minute, Schough's cross was deflected by Keijzer, and Giuliani made a crucial save to deny her. Piga then came off injured, with Stokić taking her place and having an immediate impact in the 60th minute with an assist for Koivisto's run, despite her right-footed attempt going slightly wide. AC Milan pressed higher up the pitch, putting pressure on Inter's defence, but there was no true danger for Rúnarsdóttir. In the 81st minute, Cernoia sent a free-kick over the bar, before Mascarello found Dompig in the 84th minute, but the attempt went wide. It was a dramatic end to the game as Inter were down to ten players after Milinković brought down Dompig when she was through on goal. Cernoia tried again from a free-kick, but her effort went wide. After six minutes of stoppage time, the scoreline remained 1-0. 

POST MATCH STATEMENT
Suzanne Bakker commented after the game, "A frustrating result, we missed out on the three points, but I'm proud of how the team kept fighting until the end, giving it their all. In the last five games, we have only conceded one goal, today's one. We've improved a lot compared to the start of the season, but to win games, you have to score. We're not lacking in creative play, more in finishing the chances we create. I am still proud of how hard this team works every day; we just need to perfect our finishing."

MATCH DETAILS

INTER 1-0 AC MILAN

INTER (3-5-2): Rúnarsdóttir; Bartoli, Milinković, Andrés; Merlo (21'st Bowen), Csiszár (1'st Detruyer), Magull, Vilhjálmsdóttir (34'st Tomašević), Schough; Bugeja (34'st Glionna), Wullaert (19'st Polli). Substitutes.: Ferraro, Ívarsdóttir; Consolini, Robustellini; Giudici; Paz. Coach.: Piovani.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani; Koivisto, De Sanders, Piga (14'st Stokić), Keijzer; Arrigoni, Mascarello, Grimshaw (33'st Cernoia); Van Dooren (33'st Kamczyk), Dompig, Kyvåg (32'st Renzotti). Substitutes.: Estévez, Tornaghi; Donolato, Sorelli; Cernoia; Sesay. Coach.: Bakker. 

Referee: Palmieri from Brindisi.
Goal: 45' Bugeja (I).
Red Card: 88' Milinković (I).

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