Inter vs. AC Milan: Winners and Losers from Milan Derby
Inter Milan and AC Milan played out a 0-0 draw in their final derby of the Serie A season, with the performance by both sides largely proving why they both lie in mid-table this term.
Both Alex and Rodrigo Palacio had goals ruled out as the whistle had gone for infringements in the build-up. There were few real moments of quality at either end, and a draw always seemed the likely outcome.
Here are the biggest winners and losers from Sunday's match.
Winner: Suso
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Making his first start for AC Milan in competitive action, Spanish playmaker Suso impressed in the first half.
From the right side of the attack, he showed good composure and skill on the ball to drift infield, take on his man and get a few crosses or shots away, one of which troubled Samir Handanovic.
The new Milan man went quiet a little in the second half and was subbed as manager Pippo Inzaghi tried a different route to victory, but all in all Suso can be pleased he offered a few moments of skill and adventurism that were otherwise absent from the Milan attack.
Loser: The Lack of Game-Changers
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When things were looking difficult for both teams to create chances, both managers opted for a few offensive substitutions—but they didn't have the quality to impact the game.
Xherdan Shaqiri hasn't really made the big impact yet. Mattia Destro had no effect on the game, and Alessio Cerci barely received time to affect the flow of the fixture.
Neither manager made any considerable attempt to alter the shape of his side, and the stalemate was always on the cards.
Winner: Diego Lopez
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One Milan player who certainly came out of the match with some credit was AC goalkeeper Diego Lopez. The Spanish stopper made a string of interceptions and close-range saves in the second half.
Twice he made one-handed stops to deny Inter after set pieces had not been properly cleared. Late in the match, Lopez came up with some big aerial claims to relieve the pressure off his defence as a succession of crosses came in from the Inter flanks.
Another clean sheet for Lopez underlined his status as one of the top performers for Milan this term.
Loser: The Milan Derby, Formerly One of the Biggest Fixtures in Serie A
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It used to be a fantastic occasion. It used to be a fixture to whet the appetite with some of the biggest names in the game...but this was not it.
The Milan derby has become a mid-table sidepiece, a game that fulfilled its obligations to take place rather than a spectacle that mattered or had an impact on the upper reaches of the Serie A table. Pippo Inzaghi and Roberto Mancini are both big figures at their respective clubs, and perhaps they can take their teams to greater heights next term, but this one is a write-off.
European football for neither team next season would be historic, but perhaps it would let both rebuild with more time.
Loser: Roberto Mancini
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Roberto Mancini hasn't had a full season, but his team are further from the top spots in the league than when he took over. His team are playing some desperately poor football in the build-up phases.
He also had funds in January, strengthened the side in key areas that he had noted, particularly out wide...and has since opted to play without real wide midfielders whatsoever. Xherdan Shaqiri being subbed, Lukas Podolski not being involved—much of it hints at Mancini still not really knowing the best makeup of his squad.
Far more will be expected next term, but at this rate even a top-half finish this year isn't guaranteed.
