Lautaro Martinez’s deflected header in the first half gave Inter bragging rights in the Derby della Madonnina as they beat AC Milan 1-0 at the San Siro on Sunday night.
The Nerazzurri were ahead of the reigning champions throughout the match and dominated every blade of grass on the pitch as they climbed to second in the Serie A standings.
However, Inter have a lot to catch if they are to have any hope of winning the Scudetto, as high-flying Napoli are 13 points ahead of them.
Milan in free fall
However, Milan are in free fall as they have lost 5 of their last 6 league games and are winless in 7 games in all competitions, having conceded 18 times.
Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu saved Martinez’s brilliant first-half effort in the sixth minute as Inter enjoyed most of the possession.
The Argentine, who has been in impressive form since the end of the World Cup, dragged his diving header inches from a Milan Skriniar cross as Milan could not cope with the constant pressure.
Martinez finally scored in the 34th minute from Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner when his well-timed header deflected past Simon Kjaer to give his team a well-deserved lead.
Despite coach Stefano Pioli’s changes at half time, with the addition of Rafael Leao and Brahim Díaz, Milan seemed a shadow of their former self, failing to create any clear chances.
Theo Hernández missed a well-placed free-kick while Olivier Giroud’s first touch missed him on a well-placed pass from Leao after a counterattack.
Romelu Lukaku thought he had scored his team’s second in the 83rd minute, but the Belgian’s goal was disallowed for a foul in preparation.
Martinez also had the ball in the net six minutes later, but VAR intervened to disallow the goal when replays showed the World Cup winner had deflected offside and triggered his shot.
The victory leaves Inter five points ahead of the Rossoneri, who remain in sixth place and the crisis looms.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Nicolo Campo
