Allegri "soffoca" l'Inter, il Milan vince il derby: il campionato è davvero riaperto?

Milan wins yet another city derby and reopens the title race. A goal in the first half by Estupinan, perhaps the most unexpected scorer, preferred to Bartesaghi by a Allegri who is once again impeccable in his choices, decides the match. The Rossoneri thus rise to -7 from the leaders Inter, with ten matches still to play. Wide smile for Gerry Cardinale, back at San Siro after a year and a half of absence.

The Nerazzurri disappoint, perhaps affected by the "tense atmosphere" surrounding the environment, although they can complain about a suspicious handball by Ricci in the 95th minute in the area. The first half is marked by Milan's solidity and cynicism, while Inter appears soft and, at times, intimidated by the counterattacks that have often hurt them in the past.

The absences of Thuram and Lautaro Martinez weigh heavily: there is a lack of quality and presence up front. The young duo Esposito-Bonny does not bring the physicality in duels nor the aggression that a derby demands. It is not an exciting challenge, it is not "spectacle football." In the second half, the Nerazzurri react, create a lot but waste just as much; even Dimarco, for once, does not make an impact.

Milan does not shine, but remains compact and orderly at the back, and up front capitalizes on the little they create. In full "short snout" style, they take the match. After half an hour poor in chances and emotions, with the goalkeepers almost never challenged (except for the initial mistake by Sommer, who effectively serves Pulisic and allows Modric to shoot wide), the match ignites in the 34th minute.

On a ball lost by Leao, Inter counters: Zielinski sets up Mkhitaryan, who finds himself one-on-one with Maignan, who is excellent in opposing with a decisive save. Not even a minute later, Milan strikes, perhaps with the least expected man: Fofana finds Estupinan, who burns Luis Enrique and, from close range, opts for power and hits the net. Sommer is beaten and San Siro erupts. The Nerazzurri struggle to react and in the 39th minute the Rossoneri come close to doubling the lead: a run down the left by Pulisic, a ball to the center for the incoming Saelemaekers, who, however, fails to make contact.

The second half opens with a more enterprising Inter. In the 8th minute, Dimarco wastes a huge chance, shooting high from Mkhitaryan's setup from a central position. It is still a sign of the Nerazzurri's resurgence. Milan, at times, suffers from the opponent's play and when they counter, they waste too much, with inaccurate passes and a Leao who is not incisive, greeted by some grumbling from the stands.

At the 20’ Bastoni enters late on Rabiot: the defender immediately apologizes but is cautioned, and the hard challenge forces him to be substituted. These are fiery minutes: Bastoni is targeted by the incessant boos from the crowd and the insults from the Curva Sud, a climate made even more tense after the simulation in the delicate match against Juventus. Also observing from the stands is coach Gattuso.

With the first substitutions, Chivu tries to inject energy by bringing on Frattesi for Barella. Allegri responds by recalling a disappointing Leao for Füllkrug. The clock ticks on without major thrills; Rabiot is cautioned and, as a booked player, will miss the match against Lazio.

In the final push, Inter tries to equalize: in stoppage time, from a corner kick, they find the 1-1, but the action must be repeated because the referee had not yet authorized the kick. Then there’s the alleged handball by Ricci in the area: Doveri does not go to the monitor to review. It ends like this: Milan wins narrowly and the championship is reopened.