AC Milan snatched a thrilling 2-1 victory over their arch-rivals Inter Milan in the Serie A derby on Sunday, with defender Matteo Gabbia emerging as the unlikely hero. Gabbia, who evaded his marker, met a free kick with a perfectly timed header in the 89th minute, sending the ball soaring into the top corner and silencing the San Siro.
This victory provided a much-needed boost for Milan coach Paulo Fonseca, whose team had endured a difficult start to the season, suffering six consecutive defeats to Inter. The win also ended a five-game winless streak across all competitions for Milan. Following the victory, Gabbia expressed his joy and highlighted the importance of the win for the team’s morale. “I am so happy for us, for the fans. It was a pretty difficult moment where things weren’t going well, but I am sure this game will give us a real energy boost,” Gabbia told DAZN.
The game itself was a tense affair with both sides showing their determination. Christian Pulisic put Milan ahead in the 10th minute, showcasing his skill and composure by dribbling past Inter’s defense before firing a precise shot past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. However, Inter leveled in the 27th minute through Federico Dimarco, who capitalized on a well-placed pass from captain Lautaro Martinez.
The remainder of the match saw a captivating display of goalkeeping from both Mike Maignan for Milan and Yann Sommer for Inter. Maignan made several crucial saves, including a stunning full-stretch palm to deny Marcus Thuram, while Sommer also proved equally impressive, denying Rafael Leao with a crucial save in the second half.
The drama intensified in the second half when the referee initially awarded a penalty to Milan for a handball by Martinez, but a VAR review overturned the decision, revealing that the ball had hit Martinez’s shoulder. With the clock ticking down, it looked as if the match would end in a draw until Reijnders’ free kick found its way to Gabbia, who ensured a crucial victory for Milan.
The result lifts Milan to eighth place in the Serie A table, level on points with Inter, setting the stage for a highly anticipated season with the two Milanese rivals both looking to challenge for the title.
