THE ROSSONERI WIN THE DERBY!
Serie A
Winning the Derby, again. Winning the Derby with a goal from Pulisic, so often decisive against Inter. Winning the Derby with a penalty saved by Maignan from former Rossonero Çalhanoğlu. Winning the Derby by the finest of margins, just how Massimiliano Allegri likes it. The perfect Derby, so beautifully sweet. AC Milan beat the Nerazzurri 1-0, moving above them in the table and bouncing back after the slight stumble in Parma before the international break. It wasn’t exactly a firecracker of a match, but it was still full of emotion, especially in the second half, when Chris found the net and Mike came up big again to keep out a spot-kick, just as he did against Roma at San Siro. Individual moments made the difference, but so did the team’s fight and resilience: they put their hearts into it, keeping a clean sheet with desire and grit.
A vital and wonderful victory, one that reinforces AC Milan’s superb recent Derby record (no defeats from last season onwards) and their form in matches against top challengers in the table: after Roma, Napoli and Bologna, Inter have been knocked down as well. It’s a hugely powerful statement to the rest of the league, with the aim firmly set on qualifying for the next Champions League - and perhaps, at least tonight, even daring to dream of something bigger. Matchday 12 of Serie A sees the Rossoneri soar up to second place (level with Napoli) on 25 points, just two behind leaders Roma. A night of joy and pride. The Rossoneri will return to action against Lazio at 20:45 CET on Saturday 29 November at San Siro. The Derby is ours. Milano is Rossonera. Forza Milan!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM INTER v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Inter controlled possession and looked to start strong. Maignan was called into action in the fourth minute and did well to deny Thuram's header. In the 15th minute, Dimarco had a shot which was blocked; then from the buildup from a corner, Sučić shot. AC Milan tried to fight back and in the 16th minute, Bartesaghi played in a ball which made its way into the six-yard box without a touch. Fofana tried his luck from distance in the 25th minute. There was a fright in the 27th minute as Acerbi's header hit the post, from Çalhanoğlu's corner. Inter had a big chance in the 37th minute through L. Martínez, whose effort was pushed onto the post by Maignan. We found our attacking senses: in the 41st minute Saelemaekers' effort proved to be imprecise, and then Pulisic's effort in the 44th went just wide.
The Nerazzurri started the second half well: in the 50th minute, Pavlović denied Barella, while Maignan saved Thuram's shot a minute later. We took the lead in the 54th minute thanks to a swift counter-attack: Saelemaekers received the ball and shot across goal, Sommer parried it into Pulisic's path and he slotted it home. In the 59th minute, Bastoni's shot went over the bar, while Fofana tested Sommer in the 68th. A key moment took place in the 74th minute, Pavlović was found to have fouled Thuram following a VAR check, leading to a penalty being given. Çalhanoğlu stepped up, but Maignan guessed the right way and produced a brilliant save. The home side piled on the pressure in the closing minutes: Akanji went close in the 81st minute while Diouf's effort was dealt with in the 88th minute. Bonny missed a big chance in the 89th minute, as he was unable to convert from a good position. Full time: Inter 0-1 AC Milan.
MATCH DETAILS
INTER 0-1 AC MILAN
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi (85' Diouf), Bastoni; C. Augusto, Barella (85' Esposito), Çalhanoğlu (78' Zieliński), Sučić, Dimarco; Thuram, L. Martínez (66' Bonny). Subs: Calligaris, J. Martínez; Alexiou, Bisseck, Cocchi, De Vrij; Frattesi, L. Henrique. Coach: Chivu.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović; Saelemaekers, Fofana (78' Ricci), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic (78' Nkunku), Leão (86' Loftus-Cheek). Subs: Pittarella, Terracciano; De Winter, Estupiñan, Odogu; Jashari. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Sozza from Seregno.
Goals: 54' Pulisic (M).
Booked: 45'+2 Leão (M), 61' Çalhanoğlu (I), 72' Pavlović (M).
Note: Çalhanoğlu penalty saved by Maignan (74').
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