The 2025/2026 Derby della Madonnina has delivered a shocking turn of events for Italian football fans, as AC Milan managed to secure victories in both encounters against city rivals Inter Milan in Serie A. The Rossoneri’s double triumph not only cemented their dominance in these high-stakes clashes but also reignited the title race at the top of the table.
The latest showdown took place in Matchweek 28 at San Siro on Sunday, March 9, 2026, where Milan edged Inter 1-0 thanks to a decisive goal from Pervis Estupiñán. The strike proved crucial, handing Massimiliano Allegri’s side three vital points and further boosting team morale.
This victory extended Milan’s remarkable run against Inter this season. In the first encounter back on November 24, 2025, the Rossoneri also triumphed 1-0, with Christian Pulisic scoring the lone goal. Winning both derbies in a single Serie A season is a rare feat, highlighting Milan’s tactical edge over their cross-town rivals.
Despite the impressive results, former Milan striker Giampaolo Pazzini offered his own analysis of why Inter fell short in these key fixtures.
Chivu’s Tactical Missteps Cost Inter
Pazzini pointed to Cristian Chivu, Inter’s coach, as a key factor behind the Nerazzurri’s defeats in the derby clashes. According to him, Inter’s tactical approach failed to work as intended, leaving the team vulnerable to Milan’s counter-strategies.
Prior to this derby loss, Inter had been enjoying a strong run in Serie A, recording 14 wins and a single draw after losing to Milan in the first derby of the season. Yet, Pazzini believes the latest defeat demonstrated that Inter lacked a fully effective game plan, allowing Milan to exploit openings consistently throughout the match.
“The previous Inter loss also came in a derby against Milan, after which they recorded 14 wins and one draw. There is no doubt Chivu made the wrong choices in this match,” Pazzini told Aura Sport, via Football Italia.
Allegri’s Milan: Perfectly Prepared
On the other hand, Pazzini lavished praise on Massimiliano Allegri, crediting him for meticulously preparing Milan for both derby matches. He highlighted Allegri’s tactical discipline and organization as key reasons Milan were able to dominate their city rivals.
“Credit must go to Milan; Allegri prepared the team perfectly. The organization and discipline on display throughout both matches made it extremely difficult for Inter to play their usual style,” Pazzini explained.
The Italian pundit emphasized that Milan’s double derby wins were no coincidence. Allegri’s approach allowed the Rossoneri to neutralize Inter’s strengths while exploiting weaknesses, a testament to his experience and tactical acumen.
“It’s no surprise that Milan won both derbies this season. Allegri’s preparation was flawless,” Pazzini added.
Scudetto Hopes: Milan Still Faces an Uphill Battle
Despite Milan narrowing the points gap, Pazzini remained realistic about their chances of winning the Serie A title. Inter, he noted, still holds a strong position in the Scudetto race, with a seven-point lead and around ten matches remaining.
“With the gap being seven points and roughly ten games to go, catching Inter will be very challenging. They can now fully focus on domestic competitions, which makes Milan’s task even tougher,” Pazzini said.
According to the former Milan striker, Milan would need something extraordinary to overturn the current standings and change the trajectory of the title race. While the derby victories are morale-boosting, they may not be enough to unseat a team as strong as Inter.
“In my view, the Scudetto conversation is still effectively closed. Inter remains the side to beat,” Pazzini concluded.
Summary: AC Milan’s double derby victories over Inter in the 2025/2026 Serie A season showcased Allegri’s tactical brilliance and highlighted Chivu’s miscalculations. While Milan has momentum, Inter’s lead and squad depth make them favorites to continue their title charge. Milan fans, however, can take pride in the Rossoneri’s flawless derby performance, signaling that the city rivalry remains as fierce and compelling as ever.
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