AC Milan Edges Inter 1-0 in Derby della Madonnina, Extends Unbeaten Streak to Six

Christian Pulisic’s early second-half strike and Mike Maignan’s penalty save sealed a 1-0 win for AC Milan over Inter Milan in the Derby della MadonninaSan Siro on Sunday, November 23, 2025. The result wasn’t just another win—it was a psychological turning point in a season where every point matters. For Massimiliano Allegri, it was his first derby triumph since returning to the Rossoneri. For Cristian Chivu, it was his first taste of defeat as Inter’s head coach, a bitter contrast to his days as a defender who once lifted trophies here.

How the Goal Unfolded

It came in the 48th minute. Alexis Saelemaekers drove a low shot from the left that Yann Sommer parried straight into the path of Pulisic. No hesitation. No fancy move. Just a right-footed finish into the bottom corner. The San Siro erupted—not just with joy, but with relief. AC Milan had dominated possession but lacked cutting edge in the first half. Inter, by contrast, had looked sharper, more dangerous. But when it mattered, Allegri’s side delivered.

Then came the penalty. In the 63rd minute, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Inter’s captain and former Milan man, was brought down by Strahinja Pavlović. The crowd held its breath. Çalhanoğlu stepped up, the same man who once celebrated goals here in red and black. But Maignan, calm as ever, guessed right—diving low to his right to deny the shot. The stadium roared. The moment wasn’t just about saving a goal. It was about legacy. Çalhanoğlu’s face said it all.

Chivu’s First Derby, Allegri’s New Chapter

Cristian Chivu walked the sideline like a man carrying the weight of a club’s history. A former Inter captain and Romanian international, he played in this derby 12 years ago. Now, as head coach, he inherited a team that had lost four of its last five league games—including a 4-3 heartbreaker to Juventus and a 3-1 thrashing by Napoli. He knew the stakes. "It’s different because it’s shown all over the world," he said before the match. "The rivalry isn’t just about Italy. It’s global." But Allegri, the man with the most Italian titles as a coach, had a different kind of pressure. His return to Milan in 2024 was met with skepticism. Fans remembered his turbulent tenure from 2010–2014. But this win? It felt like the start of something new. "Tonight’s result is especially important on a psychological level," Allegri said after the final whistle. "We could have gone five points behind. Staying in the top four is very important." The numbers tell the story: AC Milan now sit second in Serie A with 25 points—level with Napoli, just two behind leaders AS Roma. Inter, once top of the table, now sit fifth with 19 points. Four defeats in 12 games. Their 26 goals might be the league’s highest, but their defense is leaking.

Defensive Steel and Tactical Shifts

Allegri’s decision to start Matteo Gabbia and Pavlović in central defense paid off. Both were relentless. Gabbia made five clearances and five interceptions. Pavlović, only 23, didn’t just stop Lautaro Martínez—he neutralized him. According to transfer analyst Alfredo Pedullà, "Milan struggled in the first half, but eventually won the game, proving Allegri’s game plan a winning one. Gabbia and Pavlović were the outstanding performers." Inter’s midfield trio of Barella, Çalhanoğlu, and Sučić looked disjointed. Barella was withdrawn at 85’—a sign of fatigue, or perhaps tactical surrender. Meanwhile, AC Milan’s substitutions made the difference: Filippi, their penalty specialist, was warming up even before the spot-kick. Allegri’s attention to detail? It’s no longer just coaching. It’s psychology.

The Mental Toll of Defeat

After the final whistle, Chivu didn’t blame the players. He didn’t blame the referees. He didn’t even blame the injuries. "We are all in this and all responsible," he told reporters on November 24. "This defeat could leave marks." The words were quiet, but heavy. He feared the mental repercussions more than the points lost.

Inter’s young forwards—Ange-Yoan Bonny and Francesco Pio Esposito—had stepped up admirably this season. But against Milan, they looked out of sync. Lautaro Martínez, who’d scored 11 goals in his first 10 league games, was held to zero shots on target. The same Marcus Thuram who terrorized Roma in October was invisible. The team had goals. But not focus. Not discipline. Not the hunger that wins derbies.

What’s Next?

AC Milan’s next test? Another high-stakes clash at San Siro—against Lazio on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 20:45 CET. A win here would put them within one point of Roma. A loss? Suddenly, the gap widens, and the pressure mounts.

Inter? They face Fiorentina on November 30. But the real battle isn’t on the pitch—it’s in the dressing room. Chivu needs to rebuild belief. And fast. Because in Milan, derbies don’t just decide points. They decide futures.