GdS: From a curse to a blessing – the factors behind Milan’s recent derby dominance
AC Milan won the derby again on Saturday night, continuing their recent dominance of the fixture, despite Inter celebrating more silverware.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write that Milan planted their flag in the middle of the Duomo and have not removed it for two years. Something strange is happening in the city, frankly inexplicable: Inter haven’t won in eight derbies, even though on paper they’re almost always the stronger team.
Since September 2024, the Nerazzurri have had eight matches against Milan, losing six and drawing too. But why does this keep happening? The paper have attempted to offer some explanations.
Reversing the curse
Between January 2023 and April 2024, Inter won six consecutive derbies. It became Stefano Pioli’s curse. Three matches were more difficult than the others: the two 2023 Champions League semi-finals and the April 2024 derby, in which Simone Inzaghi’s side sealed the Scudetto.
It was the pinnacle for Inter fans and the worst nightmare for Milan fans, not coincidentally commemorated last night by the Nord with its choreography. From that moment on, Milan turned things around.
In September 2024, they won with Matteo Gabbia’s 89th-minute header, and it all changed from there. A pair of draws, then the 3-0 Coppa Italia win with a Luka Jovic brace, the two 1-0 wins last season (Pulisic in the first leg, Estupinan in the return), and this 3-1 win most recently.
Head and heart
For the reasons, you should consult a psychologist, but some things can be understood. Milan certainly play much more freely than during those terrible 15 months.
They’re definitely finding tactical solutions they didn’t have in that run under Pioli, where they pressed hard and ended up only allowing counter-attacks. They especially struggled greatly against Dimarco, Calhanoglu, and Mkhitaryan.
Paulo Fonseca initiated the change, reinforced by Sergio Conceiçao in the Supercoppa Italiana final, by Massimiliano Allegri, and now by Amorim. Milan are increasingly confident and, as much as possible in a crazy situation like the derby, control the games.
This time, they struggled very little, even in the second half, as if they had the password to counter Inter’s moves. Much of it was a question of energy: Milan no longer fear their cousins, they go head-to-head, and often win the duels in recent derbies.
The specialists
Then, of course, there are the individuals. Christian Pulisic is becoming a ghost for Inter, fitting of these times. CP11 has scored in four of the last eight derbies, and they’ve all been crucial goals. With his intelligence, he understands where to strike Inter. With his speed, he surprises them.
As for that intelligence thing, Luka Modric is second to none. In the derby that Pervis Estupinan won, he was the best on the field. In Saturday’s resounding win, he helped the team manage the tempo, defended up front, winning back valuable balls, and even left the free kick to Moreira.
Add Adrien Rabiot to the list of Inter nightmares: ‘the Duke’ has earned 7.5, 7, and 7.5 again in the three Milan derbies he has played (Gazzetta ratings). Throwing all that together, and you get a one-sided fixture.
