AC Milan vs. Inter Milan: Score, Grades and Reaction from Serie A Match

AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan

Roberto Mancini's return to the Inter Milan helm ended in a 1-1 draw with neighbours AC Milan at the San Siro Stadium on Sunday.

The former Manchester City manager watched his new side fall behind to a fine Jeremy Menez goal in the 23rd minute, but Inter restored parity on the hour mark when Joel Chukwuma Obi finally found a way past Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez with a sweet effort from the edge of the area.

The result might have ensured a share of the spoils for the Milanese clubs but did little to help either team's hopes of gaining ground on the Champions League places in Serie A.

There was an early scare for Milan when Sulley Muntari gave the ball away, allowing Mauro Icardi to chase down on goal. But Lopez produced a great save to block the forward in the eighth minute.

Fredy Guarin then forced Lopez into another fine stop when his drive was only seen late by the Milan goalkeeper, as his view was obscured by Michael Essien.

The match was held up after an injury to Dodo following a hefty collision with Muntari. The Inter man looked dazed as he picked himself up but carried on.

In the 23rd minute, though, Milan took the lead. Stephan El-Shaarawy broke down the left flank before clipping the ball into the area where Menez directed the ball home with the side of his boot.

"

Menez goal!! https://t.co/zSY3MfhoNA

— ChelsVines (@ChelsVines) November 23, 2014"

Milan central defender Philippe Mexes took one for the team moments later when he was cautioned for abruptly ending Guarin's charge forward in the 27th minute.

Minutes later, Obi entered the book for a foul on Milan defender Adil Rami.

But there was little to choose between the two teams as the derby played itself out for the remainder of the half.

On the hour mark, though, Inter drew level. A cross from the right was not dealt with properly by Cristian Zapata, and the ball dropped for Obi on the edge of the area. The Nigerian looked up and placed the ball beyond the dive of Lopez to make it 1-1.

"

1-1 Joel obi https://t.co/fIgh4rAdfC

— Footium Football (@Footium) November 23, 2014"

Juan Jesus was next to be cautioned in the 68th minute when he felled Giacomo Bonaventura 20 yards from goal. Menez's ensuing free-kick was well over the crossbar.

But El-Shaarawy squandered a glorious chance to give Milan the lead in the 76th minute when he struck the crossbar after being put clean through on Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Icardi almost gave Inter the lead 11 minutes from time when he connected first-time with a Guarin ball into the area and clipped Lopez's crossbar.

El-Shaarawy got one more chance to put Milan ahead eight minutes from the end, but Inter's Juan Jesus was alert to the danger and blocked his route to goal.

Milan kept pressing and Andrea Poli almost snatched a late winner in injury time, but an Andrea Ranocchia deflection took it wide of goal.

The final whistle blew, and a point each was the right result on a night when there was little to choose between the two struggling Serie A giants.

Selected Player Ratings

Fernando Torres: B

Another lackluster evening for the Spain striker in a Milan shirt, offering little threat on goal for Inzaghi's team before being replaced by Keisuke Honda in the 73rd minute.

Mauro Icardi: B+

Should have done better with an early first-half chance when one-on-one with Lopez, but nearly found a winner when he clipped the crossbar in the closing stages.

Diego Lopez: A

Saved well on a number of occasions for Milan and could do little about Obi's equaliser in the 60th minute.

What's Ahead

AC Milan are at home again next weekend in Serie A when Udinese will be the visitors to the San Siro Stadium.

Inter are in action on Thursday night when they face a home Europa League tie against Dnipro.

Post-Match Reaction