Allegri wins the derby with his least technical and most criticized players. Pervis laughs after the game: “It’s the most important goal of my career.” Will he or Bartesaghi play now?

It’s a sell-out. There are over 200 countries connected via TV and the web. It’s a record gate in Serie A history. There are 220 journalists in the press box. There are almost 100 countries represented by spectators who have purchased a ticket. So, given all this, very trivially, the perfect script in theory would feature the big names as protagonists. A free kick from Modric, a run from Rabiot, a burst of speed from Leao, a slalom from Pulisic. But who said this would really be a perfect script? There are times when theory gives way to practice, and winning a game takes on a whole new flavor. Milan’s second derby win of the season is a hymn to originality. And to its players who do not have Ballon d’Or feet—sometimes, they even fight with those feet—but still find a way to leave a deep mark on a season. Because maybe catching up with Inter is still a dream, but this, for example, will forever remain Estupinan’s derby. And Fofana’s, who allowed him to unleash the ferocity of his left foot. The Rossoneri fans are nicknamed “casciavit,” based on their working-class origins dating back to the last century: well, this Milan team also has a few “casciavit” in its ranks. People with legs and substance.

We are talking about footballing qualities. Attitudes and characteristics. Certainly not social classes. However, the assist and the goal in this derby point in the direction of something that can legitimately be considered unexpected. To tell the truth, Fofana has had a certain predilection and confidence with assists for some time now. He had a hand in Pulisic’s goal against Napoli and Nkunku’s goal in Florence, and last season he racked up a total of nine assists, with a particular preference for Reijnders. This time, he set up Estupinan with a diagonal pass worthy of the best Modric: perfectly calibrated, low and on the run. Fofana knows how to pull these things out of his hat, but he also knows how to make epic mistakes. The fans forgive him for just about everything because he is a guy without filters, as genuine on the pitch as he is when he speaks on TV. There are times when he sends delicious balls into the stands because, let’s face it, shooting is not exactly his specialty. But there are times when, as in Cremona, he is the team’s perpetual motion machine: assists, finishes, and of course, plenty of defense.

Flashes of brilliance and blunders—  The assist in this derby sent a player who had been criticized by the Rossoneri fans straight to heaven. Estupinan arrived last summer from Brighton with impressive credentials: experience in the Premier League, a hefty transfer fee, and a reputation as a pleasantly offensive winger. But at a certain point, he found himself on the sidelines. He lost his starting position in September after a suspension and an ankle injury that allowed Bartesaghi to shine. Pervis, it must be said, also played his part, alternating between some interesting flashes of brilliance and ugly mistakes that gradually eroded his confidence. With this goal, he has made up for everything with interest, and now it will be interesting to see how Allegri manages the left flank. “It’s the most important goal of my career,” Pervis said after the game. We worked on it during the week, the coach told me to attack, and I found the right moment.” Certainly, Estupinan has been decisive in the last two games: in Cremona, it was he, having just come on for the injured Bartesaghi, who set up Modric’s cross for Pavlovic’s goal. This time, he decided a derby that could change the history of this championship.