7M - AC Milan reignite Serie A title race with narrow derby victory over Inter

The race for the Scudetto has been blown wide open following AC Milan’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over league leaders Inter Milan in the 306th Derby della Madonnina. In a high-stakes encounter at San Siro, the Rossoneri managed to close the gap at the top of the table to seven points, ending Inter’s dominant run and handing Cristian Chivu’s side only their second league defeat of the season. Despite Inter controlling much of the early possession and dictating the tempo, Milan’s defensive organization remained disciplined, stifling the creative efforts of Piotr Zielinski and Lautaro Martinez throughout a tense opening period.

The decisive moment of the match arrived in the 35th minute through an unlikely hero. After a well-worked move in the midfield, Youssouf Fofana found Pervis Estupiñán in space on the left flank; the Ecuadorian defender unleashed a powerful strike that flew past Yann Sommer to net his first-ever goal for the club. The goal shifted the momentum in favor of the hosts, who managed to head into the halftime break with a precious lead. While Inter intensified their pressure in the second half, introducing fresh legs and testing Mike Maignan with several goal-bound efforts, they lacked the clinical edge required to breach Milan’s resilient backline.

As the clock ticked down, Milan successfully navigated six minutes of stoppage time to secure a vital clean sheet and a season double over their historic rivals. This result not only halts Inter’s momentum but also provides a significant psychological boost for Massimiliano Allegri’s squad as the season enters its final stretch. With 10 matches remaining, the gap between the two Milan giants is no longer insurmountable, ensuring a dramatic conclusion to the 2025/26 Serie A campaign. For Inter, the defeat serves as a stark reminder that the title is far from decided, while Milan fans will be dreaming of a late charge for the trophy.