Milan edged Inter 1-0 in a derby that confirmed the Rossoneri's credentials for the Scudetto.
Milan claimed a courageous 1-0 win over Inter as they keep hold of the Serie A leadership for another week. Their win also leaves Inter six points behind the summit.
Milan breached Inter’s defence in the 5th minute, when Ibrahimovic stormed down the right-flank and into the area. Waiting for him was Marco Materazzi, who made a calamitous attempt at a challenge. Ibrahimovic converted the penalty, celebrating it with gusto in front of the Inter faithful, who were seething at their former player.
Moments later it could have been 2-0. It was Ibra again who sped out wide before passing to Matthieu Flamini in the box, but he was denied by an excellent tackle by Ivan Cordoba.
Ibrahimovic then could have made it 2-0, but his deft attempt at a volley was inches high.
Inter had to contend with an injury to their young midfielder Obi, so Coutinho came on. However, though Inter looked marginally better with his arrival, they were still unable to threaten Milan.
Wesley Sneijder was looking like the most dangerous Inter player, and his free-kick almost beat Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
Gennaro Gattuso had earned a yellow card, and should have been sent off for a second bookable offence for the foul on Sneijder that led up to that free-kick. Since Gattuso already had a yellow and was looking increasingly temperamental in his challenges, Pirlo came on for him in the second half.
Milan’s tenacity was really tested once full-back Ignazio Abate was sent off for a scuffle with Goran Pandev. With ten men, Milan fought valiantly, and could have even added one more, but Clarence Seedorf’s shot was inches wide.
When the final whistle blew, there was a feeling that one had perhaps just witnessed a turning point not just in the season--the win now puts Milan 6 points ahead of Inter--but also the Serie A landscape. Some would think it premature to label a team that celebrated a treble just last season as has-beens; however, against Milan, Inter looked out-fought, out-thought, and, at times, comprehensively outclassed.
Milan movement
The fluidity with which Milan moved the ball in the first half carved Inter open on several occasions. Ibrahimovic's goal in the 5th minute came via a penalty that he won after being afforded a luxury of space on the right flank. Marco Materazzi's risible attempt at a tackle in the box, which resulted in Ibrahimovic completely upended, perfectly highlighted how stunned the defender was to see the quickness of Milan's movement. True, Ibra won the penalty against the worst defender in Inter's backline, but nonetheless the move exuded a confidence that has become rare for Milan during the derby.
Milan have been labeled names that are numerous variations on the same theme: old and slow. Yet against Inter, coach Massimiliano Allegri's starting line-up allowed the Rossoneri to take the game to Inter from the outset.
Allegri's astute tactics
Sensing that Inter's defence and midfield packed more muscle than Milan's, Allegri opted for Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini, and Flamini in midfield. The notable absence was Andrea Pirlo, meaning that Clarence Seedorf was pushed up as a playmaker behind Ibrahimovic and Robinho.
Flamini’s quickness is a perfect complement to Ibra’s quicksilver decision making. The two combined exceptionally well, and the second goal could have arrived a few moments after the first when Ibra sped down the wing, crossed for Flamini, who could not pull the trigger because Ivan Cordoba had to peform a last-ditch tackle. However, once again, Ibra was given a huge amount of space in which to work. Flamini and Ibra have also combined in the recent past. For example, against Bari, Ibra intelligently held the ball up, waiting for Flamini to speed by, before setting up the Frenchman with an invitingly teed-up ball which was duly converted to a goal.
Allegri also deserves credit for keeping faith in Abate, who, until his sending off, was a more than competent full-back. Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva were exceptional, and Gianluca Zambrotta put in the required graft.
Questions for Benitez
Inter’s loss will leave coach Rafael Benitez with many questions, even if he tried to deflect attention post-match by saying that the penalty threw off Inter’s plans. Even after the goal, Inter looked second-best as they rarely threatened the Milan goal. What Jose Mourinho did last season, Benitez has managed to undo in a matter of a few weeks. Being 6 points off Milan in mid-November is a bit worrying for the reigning Italian and European Champions.
Milan looking top
Milan vice-president said recently that if his side were to defeat Inter, they would win the Scudetto. It is certainly still too early to talk about the Scudetto, but Milan’s win has emphatically silenced the crowing Inter contingent.
Milan breached Inter’s defence in the 5th minute, when Ibrahimovic stormed down the right-flank and into the area. Waiting for him was Marco Materazzi, who made a calamitous attempt at a challenge. Ibrahimovic converted the penalty, celebrating it with gusto in front of the Inter faithful, who were seething at their former player.
Moments later it could have been 2-0. It was Ibra again who sped out wide before passing to Matthieu Flamini in the box, but he was denied by an excellent tackle by Ivan Cordoba.
Ibrahimovic then could have made it 2-0, but his deft attempt at a volley was inches high.
Inter had to contend with an injury to their young midfielder Obi, so Coutinho came on. However, though Inter looked marginally better with his arrival, they were still unable to threaten Milan.
Wesley Sneijder was looking like the most dangerous Inter player, and his free-kick almost beat Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
Gennaro Gattuso had earned a yellow card, and should have been sent off for a second bookable offence for the foul on Sneijder that led up to that free-kick. Since Gattuso already had a yellow and was looking increasingly temperamental in his challenges, Pirlo came on for him in the second half.
Milan’s tenacity was really tested once full-back Ignazio Abate was sent off for a scuffle with Goran Pandev. With ten men, Milan fought valiantly, and could have even added one more, but Clarence Seedorf’s shot was inches wide.
When the final whistle blew, there was a feeling that one had perhaps just witnessed a turning point not just in the season--the win now puts Milan 6 points ahead of Inter--but also the Serie A landscape. Some would think it premature to label a team that celebrated a treble just last season as has-beens; however, against Milan, Inter looked out-fought, out-thought, and, at times, comprehensively outclassed.
Milan movement
The fluidity with which Milan moved the ball in the first half carved Inter open on several occasions. Ibrahimovic's goal in the 5th minute came via a penalty that he won after being afforded a luxury of space on the right flank. Marco Materazzi's risible attempt at a tackle in the box, which resulted in Ibrahimovic completely upended, perfectly highlighted how stunned the defender was to see the quickness of Milan's movement. True, Ibra won the penalty against the worst defender in Inter's backline, but nonetheless the move exuded a confidence that has become rare for Milan during the derby.
Milan have been labeled names that are numerous variations on the same theme: old and slow. Yet against Inter, coach Massimiliano Allegri's starting line-up allowed the Rossoneri to take the game to Inter from the outset.
Allegri's astute tactics
Sensing that Inter's defence and midfield packed more muscle than Milan's, Allegri opted for Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini, and Flamini in midfield. The notable absence was Andrea Pirlo, meaning that Clarence Seedorf was pushed up as a playmaker behind Ibrahimovic and Robinho.
Flamini’s quickness is a perfect complement to Ibra’s quicksilver decision making. The two combined exceptionally well, and the second goal could have arrived a few moments after the first when Ibra sped down the wing, crossed for Flamini, who could not pull the trigger because Ivan Cordoba had to peform a last-ditch tackle. However, once again, Ibra was given a huge amount of space in which to work. Flamini and Ibra have also combined in the recent past. For example, against Bari, Ibra intelligently held the ball up, waiting for Flamini to speed by, before setting up the Frenchman with an invitingly teed-up ball which was duly converted to a goal.
Allegri also deserves credit for keeping faith in Abate, who, until his sending off, was a more than competent full-back. Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva were exceptional, and Gianluca Zambrotta put in the required graft.
Questions for Benitez
Inter’s loss will leave coach Rafael Benitez with many questions, even if he tried to deflect attention post-match by saying that the penalty threw off Inter’s plans. Even after the goal, Inter looked second-best as they rarely threatened the Milan goal. What Jose Mourinho did last season, Benitez has managed to undo in a matter of a few weeks. Being 6 points off Milan in mid-November is a bit worrying for the reigning Italian and European Champions.
Milan looking top
Milan vice-president said recently that if his side were to defeat Inter, they would win the Scudetto. It is certainly still too early to talk about the Scudetto, but Milan’s win has emphatically silenced the crowing Inter contingent.
