Christian Pulisic was the hero at San Siro as AC Milan nicked a tight 1-0 derby win over Inter, a result that fires the Rossoneri up to second in Serie A and just two points behind new leaders Roma.
The American struck early in the second half, reacting quickest when Yann Sommer weakly pushed out Alexis Saelemaekers’ low effort. It was basically Milan’s only proper chance in a cagey, tense clash, but Pulisic wasn’t in the mood to waste it, his fifth league goal of a season where he’s been nothing short of brilliant.
Milan, though, has got just as much to thank Mike Maignan for. The French keeper had one of those nights where nothing was beating him. He dived low to keep out Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty on 74 minutes, then tipped a fierce Lautaro Martinez volley onto the post earlier in the half. Francesco Acerbi also clattered the woodwork with a header as Inter dominated most of the play.
Chivu’s men, despite all the ball, simply couldn’t make the breakthrough and now sit fourth, a point behind Milan and champions Napoli, while high flying Bologna lurk just under them in the table.
Inter will try to shake this one off quickly, with a huge Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Having won their first four games in Europe, another result in Spain could all but book them a direct spot in the last 16.
Milan, meanwhile, can enjoy a full week basking in another derby scalp. They’ve not lost to Inter since that title clinching evening back in April 2024, and the red and black side of the city will be more than happy to remind everyone of that.