A thumping derby win!

There are nights you never want to end. There are years, like in 2023, where you can say: another derby victory? Yes, another derby victory. Five cross-city clashes this year, five wins. All of them have been amazing, just like the goals that sent San Siro into raptures this evening. Five goals to one. 5-1. However you want to write it, it's fantastic, it's wonderful, it's deserved. And it's absolutely beautiful.

Five derby wins in a single calendar year; it had never happened before. 5-1, a scoreline that had only previously occurred in Inter vs. AC Milan in 1910 and AC Milan vs. Inter in 1974. This evening, the San Siro crowd witnessed a spectacular Nerazzurri show, a devastating display that took Inter to the top of the table in their own right on maximum points after four matches. It was a victory that came about thanks to the team's way of playing, their determination, their unity, the supporters behind them, the stadium, the entire Nerazzurri faithful.

The leading figure this evening was Henrikh Mkhitaryan, just like he was in the Champions League semi-final first leg earlier on this year. The Armenian scored early on and then got the Nerazzurri back on track with another goal after AC Milan had pulled one back. He was fantastic, also providing an assist for Frattesi's goal. But so many others made big contributions. Marcus Thuram was one such player. The Rossoneri just couldn't deal with his runs. First, he had a hand in the opening goal, pulling the ball back for Dimarco, whose cross-shot was diverted into the net by Mkhitaryan. Then, the Frenchman produced a magnificent finish for the team's second - one of the best in recent derby history. A beautiful right-footed hit that flew into the net, leaving Maignan with no chance. A delightful combination of power and precision.

When AC Milan reduced the deficit through Leao after the restart, Inter, in the pouring rain that made everything even more epic, pulled together and remained compact, also helped by the contribution of those who came on. Mkhitaryan replicated the goal he scored in May, making his way into the box and finishing off Lautaro's assist. Then Calhanoglu stepped up and converted a penalty that the hugely selfless Lautaro had won. 4-1 and pure, unbridled joy. But that wasn't enough: a cherry on top was needed. And so the fifth derby of 2023 finished with a fifth Inter goal. Frattesi was the man to get it, and he did so in front of the Curva Nord. Huge celebrations, and they'll be continuing long into the night. Because Milano is black and blue again.

INTER 5-1 AC MILAN

Goalscorers: 5' Mkhitaryan (I), 38' Thuram (I), 57' Leao (M), 69' Mkhitaryan (I), 79' Calhanoglu (I) pen., 93' Frattesi (I)

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 36 Darmian, 15 Acerbi, 95 Bastoni (6 De Vrij 74'); 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella (16 Frattesi 64'), 20 Calhanoglu (21 Asllani 80'), 22 Mkhitaryan, 32 Dimarco (30 Carlos Augusto 64'); 9 Thuram (8 Arnautovic 64'), 10 Lautaro. Substitutes: 12 Di Gennaro, 77 Audero, 5 Sensi, 7 Cuadrado, 14 Klaassen, 28 Pavard, 31 Bisseck, 42 Agoumé, 70 Sanchez. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): 16 Maignan; 2 Calabria (42 Florenzi 77'), 24 Kjaer, 28 Thiaw, 19 Hernandez; 8 Loftus-Cheek (80 Musah 86'), 33 Krunic, 14 Reijnders (15 Jovic 77'); 11 Pulisic (21 Chukuwueze 56'), 9 Giroud (17 Okafor 77'), 10 Leao. Substitutes: 57 Sportiello, 83 Mirante, 7 Adli, 18 Romero, 31 Pellegrino, 32 Pobega, 95 Bartesaghi. Coach: Stefano Pioli.

Booked: Thiaw (M), Hernandez (M), Calhanoglu (I), Frattesi (I) Added time: 2' - 5'.

Referee: Sozza. Assistants: Carbone, Giallatini. Fourth official: Guida. VAR: Di Paolo. VAR assistant: Piccinini.