Inter Milan handed their city rivals AC Milan a “slap in the face” with yesterday’s 5-1 win in yesterday’s derby.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Inter and Milan both headed into yesterday’s derby match high on confidence.
Both the Nerazzurri and the Rossoneri had won their opening three matches of the season. They were the only two teams in Serie A to begin the campaign with perfect starts.
Inter had beaten Monza, Cagliari, and Fiorentina. Meanwhile, Milan had gotten the better of Bologna, Torino, and Roma.
This form had marked the two Milan sides as early favourites for the Serie A title.
And it had, naturally, made yesterday’s match look like an early bellwether in the Scudetto race.
But in the space of a couple hours, Inter seemed to dramatically change the complexion of that race.
Inter Milan Win A “Slap In The Face” For AC Milan
Milan did have their moments in yesterday’s derby.
The Rossoneri had the majority, and spells where they started to find their rhythm and prod at Inter’s backline for opening. One of the most proactive periods for Milan came, ironically, just before Marcus Thuram scored Inter’s second.
And Milan even looked to have given themselves a route back into the match with Rafael Leao’s second half goal.
From 2-0 down at halftime, a 2-2 draw or even a 2-1 loss would not have been the most damaging blow for Milan.
But then after the hour mark, Inter reacted swiftly to Leao’s goal – the first that the Nerazzurri have conceded this season.
Inter’s three goals shellshocked the Rossoneri.
This will be the kind of statement result from which Milan have to recover, mentally and in terms of confidence.
And they can’t take too long. Newcastle United await Stefano Pioli’s team in the Champions League in just a couple days’ time.
And then there’s Verona in Serie A, with Milan virtually feeling an obligation to get straight back to their feet after a “slap in the face.”
