Inter took bragging rights in the Derby with an emphatic 3-0 thumping of neighbours Milan on Sunday afternoon.
A brace from Lautaro Martinez and a superb solo effort from Romelu Lukaku moved Inter four points clear at the summit of Serie A.
Here’s what we learned from Inter as they carried on from last week’s excellent win over Lazio to lead the league table with comfort.
1. Lautaro Martinez Back In Form
Lautaro Martinez put in an excellent display at San Siro on Sunday with two goals, but it was the manner of his performance that was so impressive.
Relentless pressing, intelligent penalty box movements and probing dribbles were features of the former Racing Club striker’s game that showed him at his best.
His link up play with Romelu Lukaku has been excellent since the Belgian’s arrival in 2019 but it has arguably hit its peak the past two weekends with some spell binding play served up between the top two.
Lautaro has been guilty in spells this term of being wasteful and a little lethargic, however, that certainly wasn’t the case against Milan.
2. Samir Handanovic Is Colossal
Not often we have been able to see this over the course of the season as the Slovenian faces a race against Father Time, but the Inter skipper was in sensational form against the neighbours.
The longest serving member of the side made three outstanding saves in quick succession (two from Ibrahimovic and one from Tonali) to deny Milan a route back into the game.
At that stage, Milan could have seized the initiative with a goal and made things different but Handanovic showed his experience and guile to keep Inter in control.
It was visibly clear to see how happy he was post match when interviewed in the mixed zone as he greeted questions from TV with a smirk.
Well done Samir, good to see you back at your best.
3. Brilliant Alessandro Bastoni
Alessandro Bastoni can become the best left sided centre back on the planet.
His pace, dribbling ability, strength and passing range are unrivalled by any player his age or in Serie A for that matter.
Given his tender years there are also ample opportunities for him to improve even further, which is a truly frightening concept.
His performance against the threat of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Saelemakers was robust and comfortable with both players even being replaced before the 90 given their lack of impact.
This man’s ceiling is massive, thankfully he’s in blue and black.
4. Romelu Lukaku Is The Real God Of Milan
Since his spat with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Coppa Italia tie last month over who was the alpha male of Milan, Lukaku hasn’t stepped back once.
Five goals in six games have helped his side reach the summit of Serie A, whilst Ibrahimovic has just two goals and three defeats over that spell.
His goal against Milan in Sunday was worthy of winning any match.
The power, precision and panache shown by the former Anderlecht prodigy gave a message to all those who have doubted him throughout his career.
Write this man off at your peril. Give lazy reasons for his lacklustre spell at a foundering Manchester United.
This man is leading this club to glory. Could’ve been you Mauro..
5. Antonio Conte Tactically Spot On
Antonio Conte is making his side better and better week on week.
Unlike early season, they’re rolling teams over, even the league’s best.
In transition to a counter attack they looks truly frightening.
The manager even seems to be getting a tune out of Ivan Perisic and the much maligned Christian Eriksen, with both men seemingly done at the club just weeks earlier now putting in excellent performances.
Conte seems to have found a winning system and formula and has a team at his disposal seemingly brimming with confidence.
A number of players such as Nicolo Barella, Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez are at the top of their game.
Tactically and mentally, Conte has Inter spot on.
Keep making us dream Antonio..
