Lautaro Martinez struck as Inter Milan defeated struggling City rivals AC Milan in the 178th Milan Derby at the San Siro.
Starting Lineup
Inter Milan: Andre Onana; Milan Skriniar, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez.
AC Milan: Ciprian Tatarusanu; Pierre Kalulu, Simon Kjaer, Matteo Gabbia; Davide Calabria, Junior Messias, Sandro Tonali, Rade Krunic, Theo Hernandez; Olivier Giroud, Divock Origi.
Although with a patchy form, Inter went into the game 16 points behind runaway Serie A leaders Napoli.
They have won five of their last seven games, and hope to repeat the same feat against the bitter rivals at the San Siro.
Inter secured a vital win over Cremonese in their last game and were heading to the Milan Derby with the bragging rights.
Unlike Inter Milan, AC Milan went into the game 6th on the table, and have been struggling with a poor run of results going into the game. AC Milan went into the game winless in their last four games, and have suffered heavy defeats in the last two games.
They lost by wide margins to Sassuolo before suffering another heavy defeat to Lazio in their last game. Even a point against Inter would have been a great result given their poor run of form.
AC Milan had to race against Inter Milan’s intimidating records going into the match. Inter have garnered more points at home than any other Serie A team so far this season except Napoli. Also, a sturdy backline have made Inter one of the best defending teams in Serie A at home, conceding just five goals.
Despite a commanding Serie A record this season, Inter had shrank before their City rivals, having lost their last two home derbies to AC Milan.
Meanwhile, AC Milan were looking to set a fresh record for the first time in 12 years, looking to complete a historic Serie A double against Inter.
Their first leg ended in a five-goal thriller with AC Milan having a better of Inter with a 3-2 home victory.
Despite recent losses, Inter still hold the bragging right. The two teams have met 177 times with Inter winning 67, drawing 56, and losing 54.
It was a skewed game from the start, losing the spark that usually characterized the Milan Derby in yesteryears.
Inter held sway over the game in every angle, dominating proceedings and holding back AC Milan down in their own box.
The Nerazurri tormented the Rosonerri. Origi and Lautaro Martinez were the real threats, forcing AC Milan to be on the defensive throughout the first half.
AC Milan rarely advanced out of their box, having lost possession and attacking threats.
After several attempts, Argentina World Cup sensation Lautaro Martinez finally ended Inter’s goal deadlock with a powerful header in the 34th minute.
After taking the lead, Inter still dominated the game, but AC Milan successfully held off many offensives by their domineering neighbors.
Inter went into the first-half break with a narrow 1-0 lead.
Nothing changed in the second half, but AC Milan sharpened their attacking threats, but still played second fiddle to Inter, who hoped to double the lead and secured the win.
Inter held off a late attempt by AC Milan to wrap up all three points following the 1-0 victory.
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