AC Milan Win Derby to Cut Inter’s Serie A Lead

AC Milan secured a vital 1–0 victory over city rivals Inter Milan at the San Siro on Sunday, with Pervis Estupiñán’s first-half strike proving decisive in a fiercely contested derby.

The result trimmed Inter’s lead at the top of the Serie A table to seven points and kept Milan’s title hopes alive with ten matches remaining in the season. Inter had entered the match with the opportunity to extend their advantage to 13 points but were ultimately undone by a resolute Milan performance.

Estupiñán scored the only goal of the match ten minutes before half-time, and Massimiliano Allegri’s side delivered a determined defensive display in the second half to protect their lead and claim a significant victory.

The win also extended Milan’s unbeaten run against their city rivals to seven matches across all competitions.

Milan keep Scudetto ambitions alive

The Rossoneri, who have lost only twice in the league this season, are chasing their first Serie A title since 2022 and only their second since 2011.

Despite the victory, Allegri acknowledged that Inter remain favourites to lift the Scudetto.

“They still have a seven-point lead and remain the favourites for the title,” Allegri said after the match.

“The championship will be decided from March onwards.”

The win also marked Milan’s first league double over Inter since Allegri guided the club to the Serie A title during his first spell in charge 15 years ago.

Inter stumble after strong run

Inter remain in a strong position to reclaim the title they lost to Napoli last season, although Sunday’s defeat means their advantage is no longer as commanding.

Napoli currently sit third, 11 points behind the leaders, having struggled with a series of injuries throughout the campaign.

Historically, neither Milan club has gone on to win the Serie A title in a season in which they have lost both league derbies.

Veteran Milan midfielder Luka Modrić praised his team’s performance but remained cautious about their title chances.

“It is a well-deserved victory,” Modrić said.

“I do not know if we can say the championship race is fully back on, but for us it was always still open. Now it is even more so.”

The defeat ended Inter’s eight-match winning run in Serie A and was their first league loss since the previous derby meeting in November.

Inter head coach Cristian Chivu admitted his side struggled to impose themselves.

“We never managed to get into good positions,” Chivu said. “We lacked dynamism and we need to improve further.”

Limited chances in tense derby

Chivu started Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny in attack, with Marcus Thuram unavailable due to illness.

Club captain Lautaro Martínez was named among the substitutes despite a calf injury, largely to remain close to his teammates.

Milan nearly took an early lead when 40-year-old Modrić fired narrowly wide after Christian Pulisic intercepted a loose pass from Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Former stars Sergio Ramos and Mario Mandžukić were among those watching from the stands.

Inter created their first major opportunity in the 34th minute when Henrikh Mkhitaryan carried the ball forward from near the halfway line into the penalty area, but his effort was comfortably saved by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Moments later, Milan broke the deadlock. A well-worked move ended with Youssouf Fofana delivering a precise through ball to Estupiñán, who controlled the pass before firing home his first goal for the club since joining from Brighton last summer.

Inter had a golden chance to equalise in the 54th minute when Mkhitaryan set up Federico Dimarco, but the wing-back sent his shot over the crossbar.

The league leaders pushed forward in search of a goal, with substitute Denzel Dumfries and Bonny both coming close, while Inter dominated possession during the latter stages.

However, despite a series of late corners and sustained pressure, Milan’s defence held firm to secure a crucial victory and keep their Scudetto ambitions alive.

Roma drop out of top four

Earlier in the day, Roma slipped out of the Serie A top four after suffering a 2–1 defeat away to Genoa, where Vitinha’s late goal sealed the win for the home side.

The result allowed Como to move into the final UEFA Champions League qualification spot on goal difference, marking a remarkable achievement for a club that has never previously competed in European competition.

Juventus sit a further point behind in sixth place.

Roma will face Como in a crucial clash next week, with the match likely to have a significant impact on the battle for Champions League qualification.