AC Milan secured a crucial victory against Inter Milan in the highly anticipated Derby della Madonnina at San Siro, reigniting their hopes in the Serie A title race for the 2025/26 season. The narrow 1-0 win not only brought three vital points to the Rossoneri but also highlighted the rising influence of young left-back Pervis Estupiñán, whose decisive goal defined the match.
Pressure on Milan Ahead of the Derby
Before kickoff, the weight of expectation rested squarely on Milan’s shoulders. Trailing Inter Milan by 10 points at the top of the table, this derby was more than just a local rivalry—it represented a chance to keep their title ambitions alive. A victory would reduce the gap and send a strong message in the race for the Scudetto.
The Rossoneri faced a challenging task, knowing that a loss could have severely dented their chances. Inter, as reigning leaders, were expected to dominate the tempo, putting Milan’s defensive organization to the ultimate test.
Estupiñán’s Historic Goal Secures Victory
The match was ultimately decided by a single moment of brilliance from Pervis Estupiñán. The Ecuadorian full-back latched onto a perfectly timed through ball from Youssouf Fofana before calmly slotting it past Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer into the near corner.
The goal was especially significant for Estupiñán, marking his first ever goal in AC Milan colors. “It’s the most important goal of my life,” the 28-year-old defender admitted after the game.
This strike not only clinched the win but also allowed Milan to complete a clean sweep in this season’s Derby della Madonnina encounters. In the previous clash on November 23, 2025, the Rossoneri also emerged victorious with the same 1-0 scoreline, further asserting their dominance over their city rivals.
Luka Modrić Praises Milan’s Defensive Resilience
Midfielder Luka Modrić emphasized that the win was far from straightforward. According to the Croatian, Milan had to remain focused and organized to withstand Inter’s pressure throughout the 90 minutes.
“We always believed in ourselves, but we had to stay focused from one game to the next,” Modrić told DAZN Italy.
“It was a tremendous effort. We were solid in the first half. Inter tried to respond after the break—they are a strong team—but they barely created anything against us. It showed how well we defended and how organized the team is. We deserved the victory.”
A Touch of ‘Sergio Ramos Spirit’ at San Siro
The match wasn’t without its moments of controversy. Inter protested after a ball appeared to enter Milan’s goal, but the referee had already blown the whistle beforehand. Modrić clarified, “I don’t know exactly what happened, but the whistle had gone before the ball even reached the net. It wasn’t a goal that was disallowed—it wasn’t a goal at all.”
Adding to the occasion, Sergio Ramos, Modrić’s former Real Madrid teammate, attended the game along with around 60 family members and friends. Ramos was seen in the San Siro stands, soaking up the atmosphere.
Modrić added, “There’s always a lot of talk about Real Madrid, but I’m fully focused here at Milan. It was great to see Sergio. He sent me a message yesterday saying he really wanted to experience the atmosphere of this derby. He came, and we won—it made it even better. Today we had a bit of Sergio Ramos’ spirit on our side.”
Milan Keep Scudetto Dreams Alive
With the victory, Milan reduce the gap with Inter to seven points at the top of the Serie A table. With ten matches remaining, the Rossoneri still retain a realistic chance of catching their city rivals in the title race, provided they maintain consistency and capitalize on upcoming fixtures.
The win at San Siro reinforces Milan’s mental strength and highlights the emergence of new heroes like Estupiñán, proving that the Rossoneri are ready to challenge for the Scudetto until the very end.
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