AC Milan defeat Inter in the first Derby della Madonnina of the season

Matchday 12 of Serie A featured the first Milan Derby of the 2025/26 campaign. AC Milan beat Inter 1–0 in a tight encounter. The only goal of the match was scored in the 54th minute by Christian Pulisic. In the 74th minute, Hakan Çalhanoğlu failed to convert a penalty — his shot was saved by Mike Maignan.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side played defensively and relied on fast transitions. The decisive goal came exactly from such a counterattack: Rafael Leão burst through the middle, played the ball right to Alexis Saelemaekers, whose shot was parried by Yann Sommer, and Pulisic was the quickest on the rebound.

Under Cristian Chivu, Inter controlled possession, pressed aggressively and frequently used crosses, but none of these approaches produced a goal. The Nerazzurri had a chance to equalize from the spot, but the opportunity went begging.

Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed the match due to injury. His place in the starting XI was taken by Petar Sučić.

Lineups (Inter — Milan 0:1)

Inter: Sommer — Akanji, Acerbi (85' Diouf), Bastoni — Carlos Augusto, Barella (85' Esposito), Çalhanoğlu (78' Zieliński), Sučić, Dimarco — L. Martínez (66' Bonny), Thuram.

Milan: Maignan — Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović — Saelemaekers, Fofana (78' Ricci), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartezaghi — Pulisic (78' Nkunku), Leão (86' Loftus-Cheek).