AC Milan 1-0 Inter: Serie A 2025-26 match report

The Derby della Madonnina remains one of the most tactically rigid fixtures in European football, and Monday night’s encounter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was no exception. Under the guidance of Massimiliano Allegri and Cristian Chivu, both AC Milan and Inter deployed identical 3-5-2 formations, turning the pitch into a high-stakes chess match where space was at a premium and individual errors were likely to be punished.

The opening

From the first whistle, the symmetry of the tactical setups created a congested midfield battle. Both Allegri and Chivu prioritized defensive stability, opting for a cautious approach that saw the ball spend significant time in the central third. AC Milan, playing as the nominal home side, looked to exploit the width provided by their wing-backs, while Inter sought to transition quickly through the middle.

The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute, a moment that stemmed from a rare lapse in the Inter defensive structure. Youssouf Fofana, instrumental in the build-up, delivered a precise ball that found Pervis Estupiñán. The wing-back maintained his composure to finish, providing Milan with a narrow lead that they would carry into the halftime interval. The goal forced a shift in the game's dynamic, as Inter were compelled to abandon their initial containment strategy to chase an equalizer.

The decisive moment

The second half saw Cristian Chivu attempt to inject urgency into his side with a flurry of substitutions shortly before and after the hour mark. The introduction of Luis Henrique and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the 59th minute signaled a shift toward a more attacking posture, yet Milan’s defensive block, anchored by Allegri’s disciplined structure, proved difficult to break down.

As the intensity rose, the physical nature of the derby became more pronounced. Alessandro Bastoni and Denzel Dumfries both found themselves in the referee’s book as Inter grew increasingly frustrated by their inability to penetrate the final third. Despite further changes—including the introduction of Nicolò Barella and Yann Bisseck—Inter struggled to create high-quality scoring opportunities. Milan, meanwhile, managed the game effectively. Allegri utilized his bench to maintain energy levels, bringing on Rafael Leão and Christian Pulišić to provide a counter-attacking threat that kept the Inter defense honest until the final whistle. Late bookings for Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modrić underscored the desperation of the closing stages, but Milan held firm to secure a clean sheet and the three points.

Looking ahead

The result serves as a significant psychological boost for AC Milan, who demonstrated the defensive resilience required to navigate a high-pressure derby. For Inter, the defeat highlights a need for greater creativity in the final third when faced with a low-block defense, as they look to recalibrate their push for the remainder of the 2025-26 Serie A campaign.