In what is becoming business as usual for Simone Inzaghi’s cohesive unit, Inter ran yet another masterclass at San Siro – this time rolling over their city rivals 5-1. Not only was this their fifth straight win in the storied Derby della Madonnina, but it was their fourth straight victory to begin the league season.
“A sign of strength that I wanted, winning five consecutive derbies is something that has been missing for a long time,” Inzaghi told DAZN after the match. “I’m happy for the Inter family, it’s something important but we’re only on the fourth day.”
It was a focused and clinical display of lethal counterattacking football, as the Nerazzurri struck fast and early. The first of these strikes came at just the 5th minute as Marcus Thuram took a pass from Denzel Dumfries at midfield, dribbled it down the right flank before delivering the ball to Federico Dimarco whose cross was then chipped in by Henrik Mkhitaryan opening the score to 1-0 Inter.
Even when pressing, Milan were seldom able to create effective chances early on with the exception of Theo Hernandez rolling an attempt wide right of the goal. Inter would continue to put the majority of pressure on the Rossoneri defense, despite Il Diavolo possessing the ball for 72 percent in the first half. Thuram would collect the dividends from this consistent counterattacking pressure when he scored a majestic goal from just inside the left side of the penalty sending the ball to the upper right corner of the net past goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
“A goal is a goal, it helps the team,” Thuram explained to Sky Sport with some modesty. “A goal can be nice but it’s always worth a goal. However, I’m very happy.”
In the second half, Milan would cut the lead in half with a quick strike from left winger Rafael Leao at the 58th minute. However, the Nerazzurri remained composed and after a series of substitutions at the 63rd minute, the game would break open in favor of Il Biscione. First Mkhitaryan sent an assist from Lautaro Martinez into the back of the net off of a deflection at minute 69. Then Hakan Çalhanoğlu scored on a penalty after Lautaro was fouled in the box at the 78th minute. Finally, Mkhitaryan dribbled the ball into the box and sent it to substitute Davide Frattesi who scored a thunderous goal in added time sealing a final score of 5-1.
“I’m very satisfied,” Inzaghi said. “We have achieved important goals. Time will tell what Inter will be.”
Now Inter set their sights on the opening of the UEFA Champions League as they travel to Donostia-San Sebastian in Spain to face Real Sociedad for the first group match on Wednesday.
