Derby Draw Proves That AC Milan and Inter Milan Are Returning to High Standards

In recent years, the Derby della Madonnina has been lacking in its traditional grace, star power and entertainment. The fans of both AC Milan and Inter Milan have ensured clashes between the two teams remain colourful and passionate, but the same quality hasn’t been present on the field of play.

Less than two years ago, the derby arguably reached its lowest ebb.

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The match took place at the San Siro on November 23, 2014. Roberto Mancini had just been reinstalled as Inter head coach, and his first game back in charge came against Milan. However, both teams, giants of Italian football and frequent competitors within Serie A’s upper echelons, played out a contest full of endeavour but short on class.

One look at the two teams provides a quick yet penetrative insight as to exactly why both Milanese giants were considered well below their best at that point.

Of Milan’s lineup on that night, only three remain—Cristian Zapata, Mattia De Sciglio and Giacomo Bonaventura. And, of that three, only the latter two are considered to be important players within current coach Vincenzo Montella’s team.

Other names that populated the Rossoneri lineup for this particular derby were extremely underwhelming, from the volatile Philippe Mexes to the inconsistent Jeremy Menez, as well as those such as Michael Essien and Fernando Torres, who were considered already past their best.

And Mancini’s Inter lineup wasn’t much better. A central-defensive duo of Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus struck little fear, if any, into the hearts of opposition strikers, while a midfield of Fredy Guarin, Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Joel Obi left plenty to be desired.

Fortunately, times have changed. This was emphatically proved on Sunday night, when the two sides played out a compelling 2-2 draw in Serie A play in front of a sold-out crowd. The latest instalment of the Derby della Madonnina entailed everything that makes a great derby and more; for the first time in years, the fans were arguably outperformed by those they turned up to watch.

Buoyed by the appointment of a new coach in Stefano Pioli, Inter started the match on the front foot. They appeared much more organised and motivated in the defensive phase, operating in a clear 4-4-1-1 shape that saw Joao Mario move up to support lone striker Mauro Icardi in a high press.

Seeking to restrict Milan’s patient buildup play, the Nerazzurri had a great deal of initial success. Forcing their opponents into inaccurate long balls or turnovers, Pioli’s side dominated much of the first half thanks to their approach without possession.

While going into the match they sat 11th in the Serie A table, there was nothing middling about this Inter display. Finally, after months of underperformance, it looked as if a cohesive team was being formed from a group of talented and expensive individual players.

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Pioli chose to partner Geoffrey Kondogbia with Marcelo Brozovic in central midfield, leaving Argentinian playmaker Ever Banega on the substitutes' bench. It was a bold call, but ultimately one that paid dividends with two strong individual performances.

In defence, the former Lazio boss also went with the unconventional choice, partnering Miranda not with usual central-defensive partner Jeison Murillo, but with the diminutive Gary Medel. This decision was perhaps made with the intention of improving Inter’s capacity to play out from the back under pressure, something that the less assured Murillo is not as comfortable in than career midfielder Medel.

The Chilean almost gave away a penalty in the third minute of the game, bringing down Milan winger M’Baye Niang, but referee Paolo Tagliavento didn’t see enough contact to award a spot-kick. And, from that moment on, Inter began to assert themselves with their superior cast of players.

Croatia international winger Ivan Perisic missed two opportunities in 10 minutes. First he shot straight at Rossoneri goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on the counter-attack; then he headed wide after a good cross from Danilo D’Ambrosio.

Milan saw so little of the ball that for a brief period they seemed unsure of what to do when they did have it. Bonaventura evidenced this on 34 minutes when running at Inter’s back line, and with Carlos Bacca finding space to his left, he didn’t even attempt a through ball for his striker, instead giving possession away.

But, seven minutes later, the midfielder’s error was forgotten thanks to a stunning Milan goal courtesy of Suso.

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Against the run of play, the Spanish winger cut in from the right-hand side and on to his favoured left foot, took a touch to tee himself up for a shot, then curled a sweet strike beyond Samir Handanovic to give Montella’s side a 1-0 lead.

Suso’s opener was the sort of goal that belongs to derby nights, but in the early stages of the second half, he was bested as Inter equalised thanks to a powerful, long-range drive from Antonio Candreva.

The Italian winger played under Pioli at Lazio and, after testing Milan regularly with shots from outside the box, unleashed a valuable goal for his coach on 53 minutes.

For the first time in years, the Milan derby was not only loud; it was also competitive, exciting and featured outstanding goals from talented players. In addition, both teams were determined to put out statements in victory, and they refused to give up on this objective as the match wore on.

Five minutes after conceding, Milan’s lead was restored. And, once again, Suso was the player to thank. After playing Bacca down the right flank, he received a return ball before shimmying subtly beyond Miranda and passing coolly into the back of the net. One sumptuous moment of skill and a calm finish was all it took to deflate half of the city’s hopes.

While Inter’s more renowned stars were playing like a team, the Rossoneri’s youngsters were stepping up to the mark. Seventeen-year-old Donnarumma produced save after save to deny his opposition, and 18-year-old Manuel Locatelli tackled firmly and read play with the maturity of an experienced professional. Alongside them, 23-year-old centre-back Gustavo Gomez, stepping in for the injured Alessio Romagnoli, put in some important challenges.

However, this match was to have it all, and at 2-1, it was lacking one of the most dramatic elements of all great derbies—late drama. Cue Perisic to step up and earn a reprieve after missing several golden opportunities.

With just one minute of the three added on remaining, Inter threw caution to the wind upon winning a corner. Handanovic raced up field to join his team-mates, but the cross instead found its way to Perisic, who duly headed home to earn a crucial draw.

The last-gasp equaliser provided a fitting end to a thrilling derby, but Montella refused to speak negatively about his team losing two points in the dying embers. Instead, the Milan coach ramped up the rivalry with an audacious comment on his opposition.

“We can go home and sleep soundly with a smile because we put in a great performance and showed great spirit,” he told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia). “It was almost the perfect evening. I try to see the glass half full. ... Seeing the opposition celebrate a 95th-minute equaliser as if they had won, considering this is a team constructed to win the Scudetto, is something to be proud of.”

With those verbal barbs from the sidelines, the most intoxicating Milan derby in recent memory was concluded.

Milan and Inter may not win silverware this season, nor may they challenge reigning champions Juventus for the Scudetto. But Sunday's derby proved that both sides are returning to their historically high standards.