Inter's Derby di Milano history in 10 photos | OneFootball

Benito Lorenzi | Inter vs. Milan 1-0, 6 October 1957

There's no exact photo of the occasion, which is hardly surprising, considering the chaos that erupted in the dressing rooms afterwards. The photographer Celso Battaia even had his flash broken. Benito Lorenzi, known to all of Nerazzurri as 'Veleno'. Inter beat Milan 1-0, as they took the lead thanks to a penalty won by Lorenzi and converted by Vincenzi. Towards the end of the game, referee Concetto Lo Bello awarded Milan a penalty. Lorenzi walked over to the touchlines, asked for something to drink, and was handed a slice of lemon. That's when his genius sparked. He placed that half-lemon slice under the ball. From the stands, the fans waved frantically, trying to warn Cucchiaroni, who didn't notice a thing. He took a run up, struck the ball, and it flew into the air, going over the bar. The derby ended, and the chaos kicked off. Inter won: a derby secured by "Veleno".

Sandro Mazzola | Inter vs. Milan 2-0, 7 March 1971

In 1980, while commentating on Pietro Mennea's win in Moscow, Paolo Rosso encapsulated Inter's 1970/71 season in a singular line: "He catches up, catches up, catches up, and wins!" It was a thrilling comeback, with Invernizzi in charge. And that derby was the turning point: Milan three points ahead, Inter completely determined to close the gap to just one. Corso found the net first, with a soft, left-footed free-kick. Then came Sandrino, in the number 10 jersey and captain's armband, who scored a header and ran off with his arms in the air. Inter made a comeback and would go on to win the title.

Evaristo Beccalossi | Inter vs. Milan 2-0, 28 October 1979

A player as technical as him doesn't usually thrive on such a waterlogged pitch. A classic left-footer, with lots of vision and flair, shouldn't be successful in having an impact like this, on a surface like that. But if it's the number 10 Evaristo Beccalossi, everything changes. One of the most talented left feet in Italian football decided the derby, and what a derby it was, with two goals scored from his right. The first goal was both gentle and sharp: he twisted his body and foot to meet Pasinato's cross on the volley, beating the defenders and slotting it home. In the second half, a simple tap-in made it 2-0, and Inter won. And a few months later, they would go on to win the Scudetto.

Nicola Berti | Inter vs. Milan 1-1, 10 April 1993

Some goals happen in the blink of an eye, others are drawn out. Not because of VAR, which has lengthened waits and heightened our simple joys. This took four minutes, more than a goal; it was history. That's how the man himself, in his own words, has always described it: Nicola Berti. The man of the derby, idolised, feared, and consistently targeted. Fights on the pitch, skirmishes, a free-kick won, protests, jeers from the stands. Then his promise: "Now I'm going to score." The cross came in, Nicolino rose highest and headed it home, erupting in celebrations. It took four minutes from the action. to the foul, to the goal, to sheer delerium.

Adriano | Inter vs. Milan 3-2, 11 December 2005

Ten derbies in a row without a Nerazzurri win. An eternity, and an eternity that seemed destined to continue. Stam's header had made it a frustrating 2-2. But derbies are never truly over. You have to dig deeper, even when you're exhausted, even against the clock. Adriano Leite Ribeiro did just that, late into added time, from Vernon's corner. He leaped, rose highest, almost floating, and below him, Vieri tried to get a touch but couldn't. Adriano's header was perfect. It was 3-2. The stadium roared, the shirt waved like a flag. Adrianoooooooooo!

Esteban Cambiasso | Inter vs. Milan 2-1, 23 December 2007

Some people prefer Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. The magic in the air feels heightened; the anticipation for the day you've been building up to for weeks, with lights, gifts, and errands, is about to happen. Even the day before the Eve is magical: "Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!" Going to bed that night is always sweet and comforting. But if, under the covers, you drift off after winning the Derby di Milano at home, with a comeback and the winning foal under the Nord Stand, there's only one way to describe that feeling: "One of the most beautiful eves ever." Milan had taken the lead thanks to goals from Pirlo, then came Cruz for Inter, and then we had Cambiasso. A frenzy among the fans, collective delirium. It was another mark of Nerazzurri grit.

Diego Milito | Inter vs. Milan 2-0, 24 January 2010

One photo, though there could be one hundred. One moment, and we relive it every year. Even when it happens again, in the same place, in the same way, it feels like you're there all over again: the ball driven into the box, a brief look at the keeper, the curling left foot, the wild, manic run. Not just a goal; it was a burst of momentum. In a match destined to be legendary: down to ten men, chasing a two-goal difference, then reduced further, and Julio Cesar flying to deny Ronaldinho's penalty, keeping it 2-0. Diego Milito, the Prince of Bernal, the Prince of Milano.

Mauro Icardi | Inter vs. Milan 1-0, 21 October 2018

When there is still time on the clock, nobody knows when it will end. The referee knows, but the crowd in the stadium doesn't. When the fourth official raises the board to show added time, time inside the stadium moves differently. Sometimes it flies by; other times, it becomes an endless stretch. Nobody knows when the final whistle will be blown, because the scoreboard shows 90:00, and it doesn't keep counting. How much time is left? Nobody knows. But Matias Vecino still had time to win the ball on the right and send it into the box, high, precise, cutting through the defence. Mauro Icardi sees the chance, meets it with a header, and beats Donnarumma. He scores, Inter wins, and added time ends. The Derby belongs to Inter.

Lautaro Martinez | Inter vs. Milan 1-0, 16 May 2023

A resilient and strong Inter side played to their very best in the double Champions League derby. In the first-leg semi-final, the opening minutes of intensity and precision paved the way for a dream: in the seventh minute, Calhanoglu curled a corner into the centre of the box, where Dzeko found space and volleyed the first goal with his left foot. Moments later, Dimarco delivered from the left to find Lautaro, whose magical touch created space for Mkhitaryan to slip in and double the lead as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

In the return leg, the atmosphere in San Siro was electric as Milan tried to respond with Leao, but Inter dominated the game with the calmness of a team that already knew the result. And it did indeed end with Lautaro, the captain, securing the victory in the 74th minute, with a certain controlled power. The final minutes were a collective embrace, a city stopped in time, and Inter returning gloriously to where it belonged: the Champions League final. Everything so simple, everything so monumental. Everything Nerazzurri.

The Second Star | Milan vs. Inter 1-2, 22 April 2024

A night that seemed destined: a rainy San Siro, a huge flag with two stars displayed across the pitch, and Inter taking control of the city. The derby ended, making way for the celebrations of the new Italian champions.

Inter were a pleasure to watch: bold, confident, in complete control. In the 18th minute, Dimarco delivered a corner, Mkhitaryan flicked it on, and Acerbi scored the opener that paved the way for the Nerazzurri's victory. Thuram sealed the win in the second half. At the final whistle, a team that won a monumental Scudetto, point by point, celebrated together.

The finale was intense, with nerves, red cards, a goal from Milan, and a few sparks flying, but nothing that could break Inter. And when the dust settled, only one team came out on top: the Second Star was sewn onto the shirt, the derby was won once again, and Milano was Nerazzurri.