Here are the five things about Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina that you may not have spotted on TV, from taunts for Hakan Calhanoglu to Olivier Giroud arguing with Francesco Acerbi.
Inter secured a 1-0 victory over city rivals Milan on Sunday, winning their second consecutive derby after January’s Supercoppa triumph in Riyadh. Football Italia was among the accredited media at San Siro and brings you the five things you may not have noticed by watching the game on TV.
Fans
One of the best things about the Derby di Milano is that the atmosphere outside the stadium is rarely tense, while fans inside offer exactly what you’d expect from an Italian derby. The trip to San Siro via tube was extremely chilled with supporters of both sides reaching the Scala del Calcio wearing the colours of their clubs with caps, scarves and shirts of any kind. Inside, it was much different. Most of Milan and Inter ultras were not in Arabia when the Nerazzurri lifted the cup last month, so it was the first time Inter fans could publicly mock their city rivals, while Milan fans exposed a banner that read: ‘The Champions of Italy greet the Champions of Arabia.’ Taunts and mockeries continued during the match with tens of banners exposed by both sides.
Inzaghi vs. Pioli
The San Siro clash mirrored the many differences between the two coaches. The Rossoneri boss initially picked a 3-5-2 formation which, as you could also notice from TV, didn’t work out and forced him to change after just 45 minutes after seeing Inter dominate the first half. Inzaghi stuck to the usual formation and was fired up during the 90 minutes. Both coaches rarely sat on the bench, but while Inzaghi was jumping here and there continuously giving indications to his players, Pioli looked quieter and, as he usually does, he remained standing in front of the dugout, keeping his arms folded.
Inter’s goal
Hakan Calhanoglu was the most targeted Inter player by Milan fans, and of course, it came as no surprise. The Rossoneri supporters will never forgive the Turkey international for crossing the Naviglio a year and a half ago, joining their city rivals on a free transfer. The Curva Sud was singing the usual insulting chants towards their ex-idol when Calhanoglu took the corner kick resulting in Lautaro Martinez’s eventual winner. Songs from Milan fans were immediately covered by the screams of joy of Nerazzurri supporters, while Calhanoglu turned to Milan’s Curva Sud celebrating in front of them.
Acerbi vs. Giroud
The Rossoneri striker looked irritable, especially after missing a good chance in the second half due to a poor first touch. Inter’s Francesco Acerbi managed to nullify the 2018 France World winner who was booked minutes before the final whistle after accidentally hitting the Nerazzurri defender on his face. Giroud thought the clash was not worthy of a yellow card and blamed Acerbi who was lying on the floor in pain. The France striker made it clear that Acerbi’s reaction was exaggerated, but his opponent didn’t agree and the pair continued to argue for a few minutes inside Inter’s half.
Rafael Leao
The Portuguese striker was subbed on in the second half, but did little to prove Pioli wrong for dropping him from the starting XI. Leao was clearly unhappy at the end of the game and his body language suggested he wanted to do more to help the team. He was about to enter the tunnel with his head down after the final whistle when Simon Kjaer stopped him, suggesting he join the rest of the team to wave at the fans. Leao did it without complaining, but the mood was clearly not the best for anyone in the black and red half of Milan.