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The derby between Inter and AC Milan is also a battle of coaches who both know their clubs well. With Massimiliano Allegri, there is cause for optimism too.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, you never forget your first derby. If you win it while you’re top of the table, even more so. On November 14, 2010, in the 12th game of the season (like on Sunday), Allegri faced Inter for the first time as Milan boss.
They came into the game at the top of the league with 23 points (one more than this year), with the Nerazzurri three points behind but the reigning treble winners. The match ended 1-0 to the Rossoneri thanks to a penalty from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who today supports Max from the stands.
It wasn’t a memorable match in terms of quality of play, but it did feature an episode that has gone down in history: Materazzi was hospitalised after a nasty taekwondo foul by Ibrahimovic himself. Old grudges were resolved on the pitch, as was often the case when VAR wasn’t yet in fashion.
Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty ImagesThe Scudetto
The Milan-Inter return match on 2 April 2011 was decidedly more enjoyable, effectively steering the Scudetto toward the Rossoneri side of the Naviglio. It was round 31, with Leonardo’s Nerazzurri -inundated with boos and insults from the Curva Sud – just two points behind the league leaders.
Milan were struggling after a defeat in Palermo and because of Ibrahimovic’s suspension. The wind was blowing toward Inter winning to take a huge step towards the title, but instead it was an ‘Allegrio’ masterpiece par excellence.
Alexandre Pato struck a thunderbolt past Julio Cesar inside a minute. The Nerazzurri’s response was a header from Thiago Motta, saved by Abbiati, and an incredible chance missed by Eto’o from two yards from the goal.
In the second half, Chivu was sent off and Milan ran riot. Pato scored again, then Cassano from the penalty spot. A resounding 3-0 victory that gave Allegri the impetus to make the final push toward his first Scudetto, which he celebrated just over a month later.
Beijing, and then…
The old adage ‘all good things come in threes’ came true the following August in China. The Supercoppa Italiana between Italian champions Milan and Coppa Italia winners Inter. The Nerazzurri took the lead with a Sneijder free kick, followed by a second-half comeback.
Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng netted as the red side of the city celebrated a 2-1 win, and the final trophy in the cabinet on Via Turati before the Rossoneri moved to Casa Milan, in a different part of the city.
However, Beijing was also the last Milan derby won by Allegri. In the next five, the Rossoneri suffered four defeats and a draw. The 4-2 comeback defeat in May 2012, was particularly painful, marking the end of the Scudetto dream, with Antonio Conte’s Juventus celebrating that weekend.
The Mole and back
Allegri’s first Milanese adventure ended in January 2014, after a spectacular defeat at Sassuolo (4-3, with four goals from Domenico Berardi). Shortly before, on December 22nd, Palacio had hurt Milan with a late backheel in one of the worst derbies in recent memory.
Allegri left the shadow of the Duomo, but a few months later settled under Turin’s Mole. At Juve, in two separate stints (2014-2019 and 2021-2024), he lost just one derby (on April 26, 2015) out of 18, winning 13.
Overall, between Milan and Turin, Max’s derby record is 16 wins, five draws, and five defeats. Yes, you can definitely call him ‘Mister Derby’.
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