The Derby della Madonnina, a clash of titans, saw AC Milan emerge victorious after a dramatic 2-1 win over their city rivals, Inter Milan. The victory marked a significant moment for Milan, as it ended a streak of six consecutive defeats against Inter dating back to 2022.
The match was a tense affair, with both sides vying for control. However, it was Milan who ultimately emerged triumphant thanks to a perfectly timed header from defender Matteo Gabbia in the latter stages of the game. The goal, a result of a well-placed free kick, sent the Milan faithful into raptures and left Inter stunned.
Milan manager Paulo Fonseca expressed his delight after the match, praising his team’s courage and resilience. “It was an important match. First of all, because it’s a derby that Milan hadn’t won in a long time. It was important given the moment we were going through,” Fonseca told DAZN. “I think the players showed a lot of courage and we deserved the win. I don’t remember seeing a team who caused this many problems for Inter in a long time.”
Fonseca also brushed off the suggestion that the victory had eased pressure on him, reiterating his focus on the team’s performance. “It makes little difference to me, because I don’t read or listen to these things,” he said. “It will be a week with a little more confidence, but the important thing for me is to continue seeing the players believe in our ideas, the way they have done so far.”
On the other side of the pitch, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi acknowledged Milan’s superiority, expressing concern over his team’s attitude. “Of course Milan are a very good team. They did better than us this evening and deserved the victory,” Inzaghi admitted. “We had the wrong approach and weren’t enough of a team, which is rare for us. We didn’t start either half with the right attitude.”
Inter’s slow start to the season has become a cause for worry. They have two draws and one loss in Serie A, a far cry from the dominant displays that saw them clinch the title last year. Inzaghi highlighted the team’s lack of focus as a key issue. “It’s unexpected, we had worked well over the last couple of days in training, but the approach was wrong in both halves. Now we’ve already dropped a few too many points in Serie A and this is particularly sore,” he added.
With the Derby della Madonnina in the rearview mirror, both teams now turn their attention to their upcoming league fixtures. Milan will host Lecce on Friday, while Inter travel to Udinese on Saturday. This victory will undoubtedly boost Milan’s confidence, while Inter will be seeking to regain their form and get their season back on track.
