AC Milan vs. Inter: 10 photos celebrating 10 iconic Nerazzurri derby wins

Gabriele Oriali | AC Milan 0-1 Inter, 2 March 1980

A special day for Inter, for Milano, and for Italian football. On 2 March 1980, AC Milan vs. Inter was played on Matchday 22 of the league season, coinciding with the ceremony to name Stadio San Siro after Giuseppe Meazza. It was a landmark moment in the city's history, honouring an Inter legend and one of world football's greats. It also set Inter on their way to the twelfth Scudetto in the club's history. Gabriele Oriali was the man on target in the derby, helping Bersellini's Inter consolidate their position at the top of the table and extend their lead over AC Milan and Juventus. The decisive moment came in the 77th minute: Evaristo Beccalossi delivered a free-kick from the edge of the final third, sending the ball towards Altobelli. "Spillo" nodded it back into the middle, Carlo Muraro let it run, and Oriali arrived at pace to beat Rigamonti from a good position. The derby belonged to Inter, and so would the league title. AC Milan, meanwhile, would be relegated to Serie B at the end of the season.

Alessandro Altobelli | AC Milan 0-1 Inter, 7 September 1980

A classic "Spillo" Altobelli header. Positional awareness, leap, coordination and timing: somehow, he always found a way to get to the ball. Even with a defender tight to him, even with the goalkeeper coming off his line. And on this occasion, there was a derby to be decided. It was the only derby of the 1980/81 season, with Inter as the reigning Italian champions and AC Milan in Serie B. The two sides met in the Coppa Italia group stage on 7 September 1980. It was a tight, tense, and evenly balanced contest. AC Milan wanted to give their supporters something to celebrate, while Inter were determined to maintain the city supremacy they had established the previous season. The Rossoneri hit the post through Vincenzi, while Beccalossi came close for Inter. Altobelli started on the bench and came on at half-time in place of Oriali, who had decided the previous derby. The change of heroes was completed in the 66th minute. Giancarlo Pasinato took a corner, sending the ball towards the far side of the box, where Carlo Muraro met it with a header. As the ball travelled towards goal, Altobelli rushed in and, with a deft touch off the back of his head, got there ahead of Piotti to turn it into the net. Another 0-1, just as had occurred six months earlier. This time, though, the name on the scoresheet was "Spillo".

Aldo Serena | AC Milan 0-1 Inter, 11 December 1988

From one header to another. Eight years had passed, and Serie A was at the peak of its technical quality. There was the Dutch-inspired AC Milan side, who were the reigning Italian champions and destined to win the European Cup at the end of the season; Maradona's Napoli; Baggio's Fiorentina; and the Sampdoria of Vialli and Mancini. Legendary players and iconic teams who, come the end of the campaign, would all find themselves looking up at Inter's record-breaking side. It was an extraordinary season for Trapattoni's Inter, who dominated one of the toughest and most competitive league campaigns of all time. The first derby proved to be one of the defining moments of their season, a changing of the guard in the battle for supremacy both in Milano and across Italy. Inter won 1-0 thanks to a thunderous header from Aldo Serena, who would finish the season as Serie A's top scorer. It was a swift, devastating move through the middle. Matteoli sent the ball forward to Bergomi, who delivered a first-time cross from the right-hand side of the box. Serena arrived at pace and produced a spectacular diving, twisting header to beat Galli. Arms raised, Aldo raced towards the bench to celebrate, where his team-mates were waiting to embrace him. Inter had won 1-0 and were on their way to an unforgettable campaign.

Nicola Berti | AC Milan 0-1 Inter, 18 November 1990

We were talking about headers. Serena's goal had featured a symbolic run into the box, a flying finish that, beyond the metaphor, reflected Inter's own charge towards the Record Scudetto. Two years later, another header settled the derby, once again at AC Milan's home ground. It was a goal that had Nicola Berti written all over it: a determined run that embodied his desire to win and his refusal to give up. Nicola seemed made for the derby, with his fighting spirit and his Nerazzurri heart. He decided the 18 November 1990 clash with just five minutes remaining. Klinsmann chased a long ball down the right wing as it raced towards the byline. The German only just managed to reach it in time and sent a cross into the middle. AC Milan's defenders raised their arms, convinced the ball had gone out. Berti, however, kept going. Arriving from behind, he built up speed, timed his leap perfectly, and powered a header into the far corner. Nicola sprinted towards the centre of the pitch with his arms outstretched before being engulfed by his team-mates. An unforgettable moment of joy for him and for the Nerazzurri faithful.

Ronaldo | AC Milan 0-3 Inter, 22 March 1998

One of the most iconic images of Il Fenomeno, a goal that has earned its place in every collection of great Milano derby moments. The season was 1997/98, Ronaldo's first in Serie A. He had swept into Italian football like a force of nature, leaving everyone open-mouthed wherever he went. Ronie had scored against AC Milan in his first derby, but in the second he produced a moment of magic to seal an iconic victory. Inter were already 1-0 up, but with 13 minutes remaining the result was still in the balance. In the 77th minute, Moriero controlled the ball on the right wing and Ronaldo immediately burst into the space behind the defence with his explosive pace. The wide man's pass was perfectly weighted, cutting through behind the Rossoneri back line, but the bounce sent the ball higher than expected. Ronaldo arrived at speed and, in a flash, improvised an extraordinary volleyed lob, using an almost martial-arts-style movement and a delicate outside-of-the-foot finish to lift the ball over Rossi. Everyone was left stunned, struck by the sense of disbelief that comes naturally when witnessing something truly special. Ronaldo celebrated with his arms spread wide, shaking his head. Perhaps, just this once, even he could hardly believe what he had done.

Marco Materazzi | AC Milan 3-4 Inter, 28 October 2006

Seven goals, a crazy game and a derby that seemed to go on forever. The 28 October 2006 clash was one of the greatest and most iconic Milano derbies ever played. That evening, the 80,000 fans at San Siro lost their breath and their voices, their eyes darting from one end of the pitch to the other, their hearts racing for more than 90 minutes. The quality on show was exceptional, with 22 outstanding players on the pitch. Inter would dominate the league with 97 points, while AC Milan would go on to win the Champions League. But it was the Nerazzurri who claimed the derby. Mancini's side dominated for 70 minutes, racing into a 3-0 lead with three superb goals. Crespo opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 17th minute. Five minutes later, Stankovic doubled the advantage with one of his trademark long-range strikes, leaving Dida rooted to the spot as the ball flew into the top corner. At the start of the second half, Ibrahimovic, who was producing a sensational performance, charged towards the Rossoneri goal, lifted the ball over Nesta's sliding challenge with a delicate chip and fired home with his right foot to make it 3-0. Pure brilliance! AC Milan responded, however, with Seedorf's right-footed effort taking a deflection on its way into the net. Then, in the 69th minute, came the goal that seemed to put the game beyond reach, scored by Marco Materazzi. It was a golden year for Matrix. Four months earlier, he had become a World Cup winner, playing a decisive role in the final. He was also enjoying an incredible league campaign, which he would finish with ten goals, including the title-winning penalty against Siena. When he powered home a header from Figo's cross to make it 4-1, the game appeared to be over. But as he celebrated, Materazzi moved to take off his shirt and was shown a second yellow card. AC Milan launched a late assault, pulling two goals back through Gilardino and Kakà. Ricardo Olivera came agonisingly close to equalising with the final move of the match, but when the final whistle sounded, it was the Nerazzurri who celebrated one of the greatest derbies ever seen.

Thiago Motta | AC Milan 0-4 Inter, 29 August 2009

We could not have known that this match would become one of the defining images of one of the greatest seasons in Inter's history. It was 29 August, summer was drawing to a close, and Inter had been reshaped for Mourinho's second season in charge. AC Milan, meanwhile, were entering their first campaign without Carlo Ancelotti. Ibrahimovic and Kakà, the leading figures of recent seasons, had both left Milano for Spain. The Rossoneri were set for a Brazilian-inspired campaign, with Leonardo in the dugout and Ronaldinho, Pato and Thiago Silva leading the way on the pitch. Their 4-2-3-1 formation was dubbed "4-2-fantasia" for its attacking approach and the quality of its players. Inter, by contrast, were more compact and solid, although this new-look side was still taking shape. Lucio had arrived in defence and Samuel Eto'o in attack, while Wesley Sneijder had just landed in Milan. He would go straight from the airport into the starting line-up for the derby, where he would make quite an impression. But the first major statement from this new Inter came from two players who had arrived from Genoa: Diego Milito and Thiago Motta. The breakthrough came in the 29th minute, following a move straight out of a video game. Seven touches were all it took to unlock the derby: Zanetti played the ball to Motta, who flicked a first-time pass forward with the outside of his foot to Eto'o. The Cameroonian laid it off first time across to Milito, who controlled, looked up and threaded a pass into Thiago Motta's run. The Italian-Brazilian opened up his body and curled a left-footed finish into the far corner. It was a spectacular goal and a taste of what was to come. Inter dominated the derby, overwhelming the Rossoneri defence before half-time. Milito converted a penalty, Gattuso was sent off for AC Milan, and Maicon then burst into the box to beat Storari with his right foot. The score was 3-0 at the break, before Stankovic added a fourth with another trademark long-range strike. To sum it all up, it was a statement.

Lautaro Martínez | AC Milan 0-3 Inter, 21 February 2021

It was an unusual afternoon. Until just a year earlier, it would have seemed impossible to imagine a derby without the usual crowds and the spectacle in the stands at the Meazza. Empty terraces, with the voices of players and staff echoing around San Siro. The spread of Covid-19 had created this extraordinary setting, with the league played in deserted stadiums and the usual home advantage and support from the stands taken away. Milan and Inter were battling for the title. The Rossoneri had led the table for much of the first half of the season, with the Nerazzurri always close behind and now out in front after overtaking them the previous week. Inter therefore went into the derby with a one-point lead. They had not won the league for eleven years, but they could sense that their time had come. This was a decisive turning point in the campaign, the moment when the Nerazzurri shifted up a gear and began to leave their rivals behind. Conte's side wasted little time in taking control. Just five minutes were enough, as a quick move through the middle sent Lukaku and Lautaro racing forward. Romelu delivered the cross and El Toro powered home a header. Donnarumma was beaten and Inter were ahead, the first sign of a dominant afternoon. Inter were simply unstoppable. After the break, they doubled their lead with a textbook move, once again finished by Lautaro. It was his first brace against AC Milan and his second and third goals in the derby, a tally that would eventually rise to nine. Lukaku then added the finishing touch. The final score was 3-0, and Inter would never look back as they surged towards their 19th Scudetto.

Edin Džeko | AC Milan 0-2 Inter, 10 May 2023

Milano was once again at the centre of the football world, with all eyes on the city. Inter and AC Milan were meeting in the Champions League semi-finals exactly 20 years after their previous encounter at this stage. The city seemed to stand still. The atmosphere was electric, with tension and excitement filling the streets. A place in the final was at stake, with the possibility of reaching it at the expense of their oldest rivals. Glances were exchanged, both knowing and wary. Excitement and nerves went hand in hand. The first leg was played at AC Milan's home ground, where the Rossoneri unveiled a spectacular full-stadium display. The atmosphere was intimidating, but Edin Džeko silenced it after just eight minutes. The "Swan of Sarajevo" opened the scoring with a magnificent goal, combining class and power. Even in the physical battle of a corner, the Bosnian striker managed to produce a moment of brilliance. Marked by Calabria, Edin used his strength to make space before connecting with a majestic left-footed volley. Maignan had no chance, and the Nerazzurri fans erupted. From that moment on, Inzaghi's side delivered a commanding display of strength. Their first-half performance was outstanding for its pace, quality of play and the chances they created. Mkhitaryan made it 2-0, but even that scoreline did not do justice to Inter's dominance. That was how the first leg ended. In the return fixture, Lautaro would seal Inter's place in the Champions League final.

Marcus Thuram | AC Milan 1-2 Inter, 22 April 2024

Who could ever forget that date? That rainy evening filled with boundless joy, the sprint towards the Curva at the final whistle, the tears of happiness and the embraces between brothers and complete strangers. It was 22 April 2024, a date that some have had tattooed on their skin, while others remember it through a poster, a wallpaper, or a shirt. A night when Inter made history and the Second Star lit up the sky. The club's 20th Scudetto arrived at AC Milan's home ground after an unstoppable campaign. Never before had the league title been decided in a Milano derby. It was a unique, unforgettable achievement, difficult to put into words but wonderful to experience. The relentless rain falling over Milano made the atmosphere even more epic. Francesco Acerbi opened the scoring after being left unmarked by the Rossoneri defence at a corner. In the right place at the right time, he glanced a header into the net to put Inter ahead. The game remained finely balanced, and 1-0 was not enough. Marcus Thuram was about to secure his place in Inter history in his first season in Italy. Tikus took matters into his own hands, controlling the ball on the left wing before cutting inside onto his right foot and unleashing a powerful low shot that caught Maignan out at his near post. His celebration was fierce, his expression transformed. He slid towards the Curva before being engulfed by his team-mates. In a chaotic finale, AC Milan pulled a goal back and red cards were shown. Everyone held their breath. Then the final whistle brought an outpouring of joy. Inter fans filled the streets, undeterred by the rain or the late hour, as Milano turned Nerazzurro for one of the greatest moments in Inter's history.