Internazionale – AC Milan: Gabbia Breaks Milan Out The Derby Cage (1-2)

Neither Internazionale nor AC Milan had inflicted seven defeats in a row on one another before, huge stakes on a crucial night for Paulo Fonseca. From an indirect free-kick, boyhood Milan fan Matteo Gabbia delivered a fantastic header to win the derby at the death, but this was no fluke.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

So much pressure so early in a manager’s tenure can always be deemed as harsh, but for Paulo Fonseca, the latest Derby della Madonnina felt like make or break. On the last six occasions, Milan has not only lost but some under incredibly humiliating circumstances.

It’s a reflection of just how far Inter has grown under Simone Inzaghi, that it feels like they can compete in any competition. A draw away to Pep Guardiola in the Champions League is no mean feat; even if they did concede some big chances towards the end and draws did also appear against Genoa and Monza, but dismantling Atalanta showcased that they are still the team to beat in Serie A.

For Fonseca, not only was the weight of the derby placed on his shoulders, but he also carried Milan’s bad form into it too. Battering Venezia 4-0 did not smooth over the situation, followed by Liverpool comfortably besting them in midweek. Their attempts at replicating a De Zerbian model have fallen a little flat, even with some of the players that have the quality to perform this kind of structure.

Inzaghi . . .