Inter Milan vs. AC Milan: 5 Things We Learned

If things couldn't get any worse for Milan, they are now only five points above the relegation zone after yet another disappointing result.

Their city rivals Inter won 1-0 in the famed Derby Della Madonnina, with the lone goal coming from a terrific Rodrigo Palacio backheel.

As we've come to expect from this heated rivalry, it was full of physicality, tension and the frenetic nature that engulfs two teams desperately trying to climb up the Serie A table. The match was ended by a near-brawl as Sulley Muntari was red carded from knocking down Inter midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic.

Let's take a look at five things we learned from this classic Italian derby:

Milan, Hit the Panic Button

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Nineteen points in 17 matchdays. This is a statistic often reserved for the likes of Bologna or Chievo, not a team of Milan's prestige and potential quality.

This massively underachieving side is essentially the same unit from last season that went on to finish third in the Serie A.

What's even more embarrassing is that the Rossoneri are five points above the relegation zone. Fortunately, the January transfer window is right around the corner and you can expect to see a much different Milan side the next time they play in 2014.

Inter Back in Top Five

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Inter's win over Milan put them back in the top five after Hellas Verona threatened to take it. In a match that was filled with chaotic fouling, incessant booing and spirited determination, Inter proved to have the most lethal in front of goal. 

Apart from Palacio, they threatened Christian Abbiati's net on several occasions and forced a few fantastic saves from the balding Rossoneri goalkeeper.

The Nerazzurri now sit five points away from the third spot in Serie A which would give them a much-needed Champions League qualifying position, which is essentially one of the best marketing tools to lure quality free agents.

Another Experimental Lineup

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If there's one thing we've become accustomed to seeing from Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, it's the dramatic tinkering of the formation during the most important games of the season.

The move to give Riccardo Saponara a start in a match of this magnitude is head-scratching. While the decision could be supported, given the fact that Alessandro Matri was the alternative—it means that the squad would play the seldom used 4-3-2-1, otherwise known as the Christmas tree formation that Carlo Ancelotti grew fond of during his time with Milan.

It's no surprise that the team often looks disheveled, as every weekend they have to learn a new tactical setup. In fairness to Milan, they were the better team for the first 60 minutes of the match, but ultimately all that counts are the three points.

Balotelli Needs to Stay Up

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Take Mario Balotelli's smile in the photo above as an obvious sign of sarcasm, as there was certainly little to be joyful about in the Derby Della Madonnina.

While Balotelli gets fouled more than other strikers, he tends to go to the ground way too often looking for the foul. There are instances where a counter-attack could continue if he didn't just drop to the ground like a sack of potatoes. 

Also, it's created a clear case of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, as referees around Italy and Europe are wary of Super Mario's diving and are hesitant to call the foul when he flops to the ground, especially in the penalty box.

Walter Mazzarri's Substitutions Worked Wonders

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Walter Mazzarri's decision to put in youngster Mateo Kovacic was one that changed the course of the game. The Croatian No. 10 instantly changed the tide of the match, doing more in several minutes than the disappointing Saphir Taider had done all match.

While Kovacic has been criticized for not eyeing the goal more often, it's difficult to knock him off the ball, and he has excellent ball control, twisting and sliding around defenders to pick out the right pass.

Hopefully, this will be a clear indication that Kovacic deserves to be a starter every single week, especially in the biggest matches of the season.

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