Milan Derby: A Look at AC Milan's Recent Derby Dominance Under Allegri

Prior to the 2010-11 season, AC Milan had dropped seven of 10 contests in official matches against Inter Milan after eliminating Inter Milan from the Champions League in 2005.

However, once Massimiliano Allegri took over as manager before the 2010-11 season, a new chapter was started at the struggling club.

Six points were the difference between the two bitter Milan rivals last year, as AC Milan ended Inter's five-year run as champions and won their first title in seven years.

Where did those six points come from? Two key victories over Inter.

Milan played very well in the Derby Della Madonnina both times during the season, and they followed up their success with another Derby victory in the Italian Super Cup this past August.

Heading into Sunday's match between the two Milan giants, the first since August, here is a look at the three brilliant performances that Milan have put in under Allegri.

Nov. 14, 2010: Inter 0-1 Milan, Serie A

AC Milan got off to a quick start in the first meeting of last season.

After only four minutes, Marco Materazzi took Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic down in the box, allowing the Swede to step up and fire a screamer of a penalty past Luca Castellazzi right in front of the Curva Nord, the Inter curve of the San Siro.

AC Milan continued to press throughout the first half, but went into the break with only the penalty to brag about.

Milan's attempt at three points got a lot trickier with a half hour to play as Ignazio Abate learned that being blatantly shoved to the ground by Goran Pandev will land you a second yellow card and an early shower.

Inter were able to control most of the possession from that point on. However, AC Milan, throwing all nine outfielders behind the ball, were resilient and refused to let Rafa Benitez's men catch a break.

The three points were a big statement for Milan.

Apr. 2, 2011: Milan 3-0 Inter, Serie A

Looking primed for the title, Milan once again faced off with Inter, this time as the home side at the stadium they share.

This time, like the last, Milan got off to a very quick start—only this time, quicker.

Not even a minute could pass before Milan were up 1-0, when Robinho and Pato caused a scramble in the Inter box, only to have Pato put home a rebound on the 45-second mark.

Again, even with the mass amounts of pressure, Milan went into the break up 1-0.

When the second half began, Milan put on the finishing touches.

Milan were pressing, pressing, pressing, until finally Pato was clear in on goal, only to be taken out from behind just outside the box by Christian Chivu. As all soccer fans and players are taught from an early age, such an act is what we call a red-card offense.

Six minutes later, Milan capitalized on the extra man, and Abate put a low, quick cross in toward the 6-yard box. Pato headed it home to make it 2-0.

Heading toward stoppage time, Antonio Cassano stepped up to make it 3-0 on a penalty kick. He received a yellow card for taking his shirt off in celebration and then, the genius that he is, picked up another yellow card moments later on a bad challenge, and Milan finished the game with 10 men.

Despite the always-interesting Cassano's little implosion at the end, this was arguably the most dominant Milan performance in the Derby since the 6-0 match.

Aug. 6, 2011: Milan 2-1 Inter, Supercoppa Italiana

Milan went down 1-0 in the first 25 minutes of the 2011 Supercoppa Italiana against their arch-rival in Beijing.

Wesley Sneijder, who was playing despite heavy speculation that he would leave for Manchester United at any time, placed a wonderful free kick that put Inter out in front early.

However, in the second half, Milan picked it up.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic put a somewhat diving header into an open net, and Kevin-Prince Boateng slid in toward goal for a rebound goal.

The win gave Milan their sixth Super Cup title, the most ever in the competition's history. Of course, for bragging rights purposes, it was also Milan's third straight win over their hated rivals.