AC Milan - Inter: The most memorable matches from Derby della Madonnina history
Every time the confrontation between Inter and AC Milan is mentioned, an adrenaline rush comes to the surface that is incomparable to other Serie A clashes. Indeed, Italy's historically most evenly matched confrontation between teams from the same city has often generated belligerent and prestigious performances.
Milan - Inter 0-3 (1997-98)
It was Ronaldo's first year in Italy. Expected like no other in the Italian league, then the flagship of world football, the Brazilian debuted in his first city clash, which ended 2-2, by scoring the 2-1 penalty that would later be replied by his compatriot André Cruz. The return, however, was an authentic show by O Fenomeno, who, wearing the number 10 shirt, put the opposition defence in crisis. If it was Diego Simeone who opened the scoring in the first half with a header, before the Brazilian struck with a half-volley from the outside on a cross from the right by Moriero. A work of art still in the hearts of the Nerazzurri fans, who experienced the glory of a clear 3-0 win that day.
Inter - Milan 0-6 (2000-01)
The most resounding drubbing ever in the derby, led surprisingly by Gianni Comandini, author of the double that opened the Nerazzurri's scoring spree. That year both AC Milan and Inter played little role in the league, as confirmed by their respective sixth and fifth place finishes, yet that confrontation remained in history for the goleada of the men then led by Cesare Maldini. On that occasion, almost unnoticed was Andriy Shevchenko's double, who that year would finish second in the scorers' table with 24 goals, two less than Hernan Crespo.
Milan - Inter 3-2 (2003-04)
In that season, Milan, fresh from winning the Champions League, wanted to win the first Scudetto of the Ancelotti era. And after finding their magic in the middle of the pitch with the famous triangle formed by Gattuso, Pirlo and Seedorf backing up Kaká, the Rossoneri had learned to fly high. On 21 February 2004, however, Inter surprised the Rossoneri, scoring two goals in the first half through Stankovic and Cristiano Zanetti.
Shortly after the start of the second half, however, a tap-in by Thomasson reopened the scoring. And just minutes later a splendid run by Kaká, left alone in the middle of the pitch, led to the 2-2 draw. The comeback would culminate with a Seedorf torpedo.
AC Milan-Inter 3-4 (2006-07)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic had recently moved to Inter, who began to dominate Italian football after the Calciopoli scandal. The spectacle was absolute, with the Nerazzurri coached by Roberto Mancini taking a 3-0 lead in 48 minutes. Seedorf, then silenced by Materazzi, came to try and put everything back into question. In the end, however, Gilardino and Kaká's treble would make the last moments terribly exciting. In the end came the triumph of an Inter side that would from then on certify its dominance in Italy until the glorious treble in 2010.