One goal in each half for the Nerazzurri, who beat Milan and rarely looked troubled defensively

In Milan, there is also a slightly younger Milan side that hasn’t won in over a month, is 13th in the table and has just lost a derby. Inter Primavera won 2-0 thanks to goals from Iddrissou and Mancuso, two 2007-born players who will long remember their afternoon at the Konami Development Center. It was an intense derby, played at a good pace, which saw the team with the most quality win: in ball possession, in one-on-ones on the wings and, above all, in the opponent’s box. Credit also goes to a rock-solid defense that conceded little. Milan, an under-age team, showed courage, fought proudly until the end, and created potential chances but failed to capitalize on them. It was the classic case of missing that last little bit to make it a complete success. They lacked strikers and, in fact, points.

Both teams lined up in a 4-3-3 formation but with different approaches to the game. Inter tried to open up the field to let their wingers, Mosconi and Pinotti, run, while Milan played more vertically through Scotti, who was good at dropping back in order not to give away any clues up front. The match was heated from the very first moments, as a derby requires: the pace was high and there was no lack of courage. In the 7th minute, Lontani tried his luck with a magical outside shot, but Farronato, who made a series of important saves, was equal to the task. At the other end, Longoni, who had clearly overcome the effects of jet lag from Qatar (he had just returned from the U17 World Cup), saved a powerful right-footed shot from Della Mora. The derby was opened in the 19th minute: Cerpelletti’s free kick found Iddrissou, who was left unmarked in the box, and he headed home. Overall, Inter dominated the game, with Milan passing the ball around little but responding blow for blow. Scotti was denied by Farronato in the 25th minute and shortly after broke free with a masterful nutmeg, earning a free kick. The captain was the only offensive threat in Renna’s attack.

Inter celebration—  In the second half, Inter wasted two huge scoring chances early on with Pinotti, who was devastating on the left but too inaccurate in his finishing. Milan struggled initially but then gained confidence, especially with Pandolfi coming on. Overall, the Rossoneri lacked creativity in the final 15 meters, especially in transition. There were no dangerous shots on Farronato’s goal: many crosses into the box and inviting balls were not exploited by Scotti and his teammates. In the last quarter of an hour, Milan pinned Inter back in their own half, but the Nerazzurri held firm, thanks in part to the two center backs, Bovio and Peletti, who were unbeatable in defense. Just when the Rossoneri were pushing hardest, they were punished: in the 89th minute, Mancuso, who had just come on, beat everyone to the ball and fired past Longoni with his left foot. The match ended 2-0, with Inter winning the derby. The Nerazzurri have won five of their last six matches, confirming their excellent form and relaunching themselves into the upper echelons of the table. It is a drastically different situation for Milan, currently thirteenth and without a win since October 25.