Milan as Inter’s Nightmare: Seven Derbies Without a Nerazzurri Victory
AC Milan have cemented their status as Inter’s worst nightmare in the Derby della Madonnina. With Sunday evening’s victory at San Siro, the Rossoneri extended their remarkable unbeaten run to seven consecutive derbies, with the Nerazzurri failing to win any of them: five victories and two draws in Milan’s favour over the past two years. It is a staggering statistic that speaks volumes about an established psychological dominance weighing heavily on Allegri’s squad.
Inter and the Derby Psychosis: When Milan Becomes an Obsession
What makes this streak even more remarkable is the context surrounding each result. Going into the match, Inter boasted a comfortable ten-point lead over their city rivals in the league table. Yet, according to sources close to the Nerazzurri camp and journalists covering the club, the fear of facing Milan was tangible.
It is no coincidence that Paolo Di Canio, the well-known pundit and former footballer, openly described a genuine “psychosis” gripping Inter’s players — particularly those who usually lead the team but seem to lose confidence and composure in the derby. Notably, Inter’s last league defeat had come precisely in the reverse fixture against Milan earlier in the season. Since then, the Nerazzurri had accumulated only wins and draws in Serie A, with their sole losses coming in European competition. Paradoxically, this record appears to amplify the derby curse rather than diminish it.
Despite the seven-point advantage Inter still hold in the standings and their strong probability of clinching the Scudetto, the Milan derby remains a fixture that generates genuine anxiety within the Nerazzurri camp. For Milan, conversely, the derby has become a wellspring of positive energy and collective self-belief.
Rabiot: The Winning Mentality Milan Were Looking For
Among the undisputed protagonists of the post-match scene was Adrien Rabiot. The French midfielder, who also spoke at the post-match press conference, emphatically stated his determination: “I wanted to win this match at all costs,” he declared without hesitation.
The former Juventus man was spotted outside the stadium with an infectious smile, visibly delighted with the result. The Frenchman appeared buzzing and radiant, joking with journalists and radiating a positive energy that reveals much about his leadership both on and off the pitch. A Milan side with ambitions of competing at the highest level needs exactly this kind of winning mentality and competitive hunger. Rabiot perfectly embodies the spirit the Rossoneri’s management want to cultivate in the dressing room: the desire to win every single battle, especially the ones that matter most to the fans.
Ricci Handball Controversy: No Penalty — AIA Confirms the Decision
The post-derby period was not without controversy, particularly over an alleged handball by Ricci inside the penalty area during the closing minutes. The incident ignited debate among fans and pundits alike, with Inter potentially having grounds to claim a penalty kick.
Luca Marelli, a renowned refereeing expert and VAR analyst, stepped in to clarify the situation, stating that referee Doveri’s decision was correct. The reason? Ricci was pulling his arm back towards his body at the moment of contact with the ball, rather than extending it to intercept the ball’s trajectory. This distinction is fundamental when assessing the incident under the current rules of the game.
Further confirmation came from the AIA (Italian Referees’ Association) leadership, who reiterated that Doveri’s assessment was accurate: Ricci’s movement was clearly aimed at tucking his arm in to avoid contact, not at stretching it out to block the ball’s path. This element is decisive in determining the punishability of the action under the current regulations.
While heated discussions are inevitable after such an intense derby, in this particular case the officiating appears to have been precise and fully in line with the rulebook.
A Matter of Mentality: The Derby Is Won in the Mind First
What stands out most from yet another Rossoneri victory is the power of mentality. It was not always this way: a few years ago, during Stefano Pioli’s tenure on the bench, it was Milan who struggled in the derby, buckling under the pressure from their rivals. The reversal of fortunes demonstrates just how much belief and mental preparation can make the difference in the most high-stakes fixtures.
Today’s Milan face Inter with the self-assurance of a team that knows it can win, and this translates into solid, determined performances on the pitch. The curse now sits firmly on the Nerazzurri’s side. And as long as the Rossoneri continue to take the field with this spirit, the derby will remain painted in red and black.
