AC Milan can still dream. After winning 1-0 in the Derby della Madonnina against Inter thanks to the goal scored in the first half by left-back Pervis Estupinian, the Rossoneri are still in the race for the Scudetto. With 10 matches remaining in the season, Inter continues to lead the standings, having a seven-point advantage over Massimiliano Allegri’s squad. Their victory concluded Inter’s positive streak that started back in November after their earlier defeat to Milan earlier this season.
Cristian Chivu’s team, which has been unable to clinch victory against AC Milan in their last seven encounters, once again showcased the troubles they faced when competing against stronger teams this season, failing to win a critical match.
Allegri’s AC Milan secured another ‘Cortomuso’ (“narrow win”) reminiscent of his time at Juventus. This strategy of clinching critical games with small margins continues to make his teams successful in Italy, even if they aren’t always thrilling to watch.
In a post-match interview with DAZN, Allegri articulated his outlook for the remainder of the season.
“Inter have a seven-point lead, and that's significant. We could have been sharper in front of the goal, but there are still reasons to be optimistic. We have hit the 60-point mark, staying ahead of Como and Juventus. We’ve put in six months of effort to reach this point in the season in the best possible form. Now, the season will come down to how we perform moving forward.”
It’s evident that should AC Milan clinch the title, much of the responsibility for failure will rest on Inter’s shoulders, as they hold a substantial advantage. However, history shows that a single defeat like this against their city rivals can drastically change the course of the season.
Unfortunately for Inter, they had to face AC Milan without their two primary strikers, Lautaro Martinez (injured) and Marcus Thuram (illness), and they failed to exhibit the necessary urgency to secure a win.
Conversely, AC Milan executed a tactical approach perfectly suiting their needs, controlling the match while limiting their opponents to minimal opportunities and efficiently maintaining ball possession. The game plan devised by Allegri was effectively put into action, leading to Estupinian’s goal solidifying their advantage.
Pervis Estupiñán fires home his first Serie A goal in the Derby della Madonnina 💥
For Inter, this setback serves as a considerable disappointment, even with their league margin intact. The upcoming fixtures against Atalanta, Fiorentina, AS Roma, and Como will test whether their season’s challenges can spiral out of control. Meanwhile, AC Milan must strive for consistency against smaller teams, a feat they have struggled with in recent months. This victory has provided them a chance to believe that a miraculous turnaround may still be possible.
