AC Milan, Amorim won the tactical duel with Chivu: three decisions to checkmate Inter

AC Milan deservedly won the derby: Amorim’s game plan made the difference

Facing their toughest test, AC Milan made their mark and revived their ambitions for a season at the top. Rabiot and his team-mates showed no fear of slipping 10 points behind Inter. Instead, they stunned their rivals with two goals in the first nine minutes. The last time a team went two goals ahead in the Milan derby was 52 years ago, in Milan-Inter 1-5 in 1974.

Amorim perfect

In front of a remarkable crowd, Amorim's first derby in the AC Milan dugout became his derby: the Portuguese manager made the difference with bold decisions that paid off. His game plan was almost perfect. AC Milan struggled with Inter's forceful response only between the 20th and 35th minutes of the first half. After that, they stuck to their playing principles and managed the game without losing their way. Above all, a strong, mature team responded to last Wednesday's poor defeat against Bologna.

Amorim’s three winning moves

Courage and ideas pay off, if not straight away then in the long run. Amorim judges players not by their track records or ages, but by what he sees from them day by day at Milanello. He trusted the 20-year-old Diawara and gave him his chance. Alongside Gila, he kept Inter's threat down the flanks in check. Inter threatened from a cross just once, and a superb Maignan denied Spence.

By fielding Musah in a three-man midfield rather than the usual two-man midfield, Milan cut off the passing lanes and denied Calhanoglu space, with the former Atalanta player always close to him. Musah also covered for Modric, giving him more freedom to drift wide and create play and goalscoring chances.

Milan have two players who can decide matches, Rabiot and Moreira, and made the most of them by relieving them of excessive duties in transitions without the ball. Their connection on and off the pitch entertained and delighted the AC Milan faithful. With a jubilant Cardinale applauding the team from the stands, Milan can take the next step forward.