Milan is known for its art, architecture, and fashion, but it is also home to one of the fiercest rivalries in football. The Derby della Madonnina, also known as the Milan Derby, is a head-to-head between two of the most successful clubs in Italian football, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Both teams share the iconic San Siro Stadium, making this rivalry even more compelling. This post will relive the greatest Milan Derbies of all time ahead of today’s epic Champions League semi-final clash.
The last four Champions League matches historically resulted in AC Milan wins and two draws.
1. AC Milan 6-0 Inter Milan (2001)
This match remains a highlight in the Rossoneri’s history and an indelible stain for the Nerazzurri.
The 2001 season was a strong one for AC Milan, but nothing could top their victory over Inter in May. The scoreline was as emphatic as the performances on the pitch. Shevchenko’s brace and goals from Comandini (he’d only score one other strike in his brief Milan career), Albertini, and Serginho led to a resounding 6-0 victory for AC Milan.
Fans widely remember this match for its result and the dominant performance of the Red and Blacks.
2. Inter Milan 4-2 AC Milan (2020)
This thrilling comeback was a testament to the beauty and unpredictability of football. Inter were trailing 2-0 at half-time, with goals from Ante Rebic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic putting AC Milan in the lead.
However, the Nerazzurri staged a remarkable comeback in the second half. Goals from Marcelo Brozovic, Matias Vecino, Stefan de Vrij, and Romelu Lukaku secured a stunning 4-2 victory for Inter, marking one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the Milan Derby.
3. AC Milan 2- 1 Inter Milan (1984)
Many football fans remember the 1984 Derby della Madonnina for the incredible header by Mark Hateley.
Despite the closely contested match, Hateley stole the show with his exceptional ability to leap high, meet the cross, and beat the legendary Inter goalkeeper Walter Zenga. The game ended 2-1 in favor of AC Milan, with Englishman’s goal being the decider.
4. Inter 0-3 Milan (2005)
This thrilling Champions League quarter-final is one of the few times the Milan Derby showcased on Europe’s biggest stage. It also provided the backdrop for one of the most iconic images in world football, with opponents Marco Materazzi and Rui Costa standing side by side, watching flares drop down from the stands.
After the first leg, Milan held a 2-0 lead. But chaos ensued when top scorer in the Derby della Madonnina when Shevchenko scored another and Inter’s Esteban Cambiasso had his goal disallowed.
Goalkeeper Dida was struck by one, and the refs called off the game with AC Milan up 3-nil on aggregate.
Inter received a substantial penalty for their fans’ actions, forcing the club to play their next four European matches without an audience.
5. Inter 6-5 Milan (1949)
It remains the highest-scoring match between the two sides. AC Milan took a thunderous 4-1 lead before the Nerazzurri fought their way back to take the 5-4 lead. AC Milan, however, quickly equalized.
Amadeo Amadei’s hat trick sealed the 6-5 victory for Inter. The game signified the back-and-forth competitiveness between the rivals, with the two clubs sharing the Serie A six times in the 1950s.
Photo: Twitter/@AntonioMango4
