Ronaldinho Header Seals Milano Derby

Ronaldinho scored the winner in his first ever Derby della Madonnina along with his first Serie A goal. The Brazilian, who has been dropped by the AC Milan tactician for the last two games, surprisingly started in the prestigious derby against Inter on Sunday evening.

Both teams brought out the big guns (despite Ancelotti’s extended injury list) and started strongly, keeping the goalkeepers busy on both ends of the pitch.

The only goal in the game came in the 37th minute as Kaká came up on the right flank and chipped the ball for Ronaldinho's towering header. He then celebrated accordingly.

“I hoped for a goal and it is an incredible story. We all went on to the field so charged up tonight,” the goalscorer said after the win.

The second half started in a slow tempo, but picked up somewhat after some tactical changes made by Mourinho 10 minutes into the second half to try and press for a leveler.

It didn’t get any easier for the Nerazzuri when Burdisso got booked a subsequent time midway into the second half after hacking down Kaká and earning himself a red card, thus leaving his teammates one man short.

Inter then had some very good chances to level the score in the stoppages as there certainly were no shortages of chances—only the inability of the Inter players to convert them.

It was a messy derby littered with cards as a handful of Inter players were booked and, in addition to Burdisso, Materazzi (from the bench) was also shown the red card.

Despite comments from Mourinho after the game about neither side deserving a win and stating that “pragmatism” was the only difference between the teams, the Rossoneri now has three consecutive league wins under their belts. They are currently trailing leading Lazio by three points and Inter by only one.

The AC Milan’s players took enormous responsibility throughout the entire game in general—and the defense in particular—and there was no mistaking how important the game was for Ancelottis men in comparison to those of Mourinho’s.

What finally won Milan the derby was a solid team effort in every category. The Rossoneri were more aggressive and imposed their style of play throughout the game and were, despite Mourinho’s comments after the game, well worthy winners.