Inter 0 Ibra 1, Forza Milan!

THE ROSSONERI won the Derby della Madonnina 1-0 earlier tonight, , Zlatan Ibrahimovic securing a win for Milan to break Inter’s undefeated home record and to put them top of the table, despite playing with 10 men for a third of the match!

Inter: Castellazzi; Cordoba, Materazzi, Lucio, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Sneijder, Obi (Coutinho 36); Eto'o, Milito

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Silva, Nesta, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Flamini; Robinho, Ibrahimovic

AC Milan returned to the top of Serie A tonight with victory over city rivals Inter in the 275th Derby della Madonnina at the San Siro.

A penalty from former Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the fifth minute was enough to decide a game which Milan ended with 10 men after Ignazio Abate was sent off on the hour mark.

The result takes Milan back to the top of the table above Lazio and leaves Inter six points adrift in fifth.

The eagerly-anticipated derby started with a bang as Milan were awarded a penalty after just four minutes.

Marco Materazzi caught Ibrahimovic as he pulled the ball back just inside the area and there were no complaints from the Nerazzurri defender when the spot-kick was awarded.

Ibrahimovic stepped up to blast the penalty past Luca Castellazzi, who was again deputising for the injured Julio Cesar in the Inter goal.

Milan, officially the visiting team at the San Siro, did not want to settle down having taken an early lead and they continued to trouble the hosts' defence.

Ibrahimovic broke the offside trap in the 13th minute and sent the ball towards Mathieu Flamini in the centre, where Ivan Cordoba made a despairing lunge to clear the ball ahead of the Frenchman.

Ibrahimovic was left in acres of room again in the penalty area when he lifted the ball over Lucio and again looked for a team-mate in the centre, but Materazzi this time made the clearance just ahead of Clarence Seedorf.

A volley from the inspired Swede only just cleared the top of the crossbar as Inter did not know what was hitting them.

An injury to Joel Obi turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the home team as coach Rafael Benitez was forced to change his side and give it a more attack-minded look with Coutinho coming on.

The Nerazzurri finally found a foothold in the game and Wesley Sneijder sent a free-kick just inches wide of the post into the side-netting after being fouled by Gennaro Gattuso, who was riding his luck having already been booked.

Another Sneijder free-kick in the 56th minute tested Christian Abbiati, who pushed the ball away.

Abate tried to be a hero for Milan when he tried to play on despite being carried off on a stretcher with a back injury, but he turned into a villain when he was shown a second yellow card for a clash with Goran Pandev when Luca Antonini was already stripped and ready to replace him.

Antonini came on anyway to replace Robinho as Milan set their stall out to defend their lead for the final 30 minutes.

Inter, try as they might, simply could not find a way through the massed ranks of red and black shirts and the defending champions had to admit defeat as their city rivals held on for the win.


VERSI INDONESIA
Pertarungan Derby della Madonina antara Inter Milan kontra AC Milan berlangsung ketat dan panas. Milan akhirnya keluar sebagai pemenang berkat gol penalti Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Gol penalti Ibrahimovic tercipta saat laga yang dihelat di Stadion Giuseppe Meazza, Senin (15/11/2010) dinihari WIB, itu baru berlangsung lima menit. Ternyata, gol itu menjadi gol tunggal di laga ini.

Inter sebenarnya diuntungkan ketika Milan dipaksa bermain dengan 10 orang dalam setengah jam terakhir usai Ignazio Abate diusir wasit usai bersitegang dengan Goran Pandev. Namun menang jumlah pemain tidak sanggup dimaksimalkan Nerazzurri.

Dengan kemenangan ini, Milan kembali tampil sebagai pemuncak klasemen sementara Seri A dengan nilai 26 dari 12 laga. Sementara Inter tertahan di posisi lima dengan nilai 20.

Jalannya pertandingan
Pertandingan baru berusia empat menit ketika Milan memperoleh penalti akibat dijatuhkannya Ibrahimovic oleh Marco Materazzi. Ibra sendiri yang mengambil penalti sukses melakukan tugasnya.

Pada menit ke-22, Milan sempat memasukkan bola lagi ke gawang Inter yang dikawal kiper Luca Castelazzi. Namun gol dianulir karena Ibrahimovic yang mencetaknya sudah off-side.

Setelah skor 1-0 bertahan hingga jeda, Inter bermain lebih agresif di babak kedua. Menit 55, sebuah tendangan deras Wesley Sneijder memaksa kiper Milan, Christian Abbiati, menepisnya ke luar lapangan.

Di menit 60, kekuatan Milan berkurang satu setelah Abate diusir wasit. Pemain belakang Rossoneri itu mendapatkan kartu kuning kedua usai bersitegang dengan Pandev. Sementara Pandev yang kedapatan mendorong Abate malah bebas dari hukuman.

Akibat kartu merah Abate, arsitek Milan Massimiliano Allegri, memilih untuk menarik Robinho dan memasukkan seorang bek, Luca Antonini, demi menambal lini belakang.

Unggul jumlah pemain, Inter berusaha menekan. Namun hingga marka 90 menit terlewati, tidak ada satu pun peluang emas yang bisa mereka kreasikan, apalagi hingga mencetak gol.

Skor 1-0 buat kemenangan Milan pun bertahan sampai wasit meniup peluit panjang tanda berakhirnya permainan.

Susunan pemain
Inter: Castellazzi; Cordoba, Materazzi (Biabiany 68), Lucio, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Sneijder, Obi (Coutinho 36); Eto'o, Milito (Pandev 46)

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Silva, Nesta, Zambrotta; Gattuso (Pirlo 46), Ambrosini, Seedorf (Boateng 73), Flamini; Robinho (Antonini 62), Ibrahimovic

Inter 2 : Milan 0 Sneijder Sent Off

Milan: Dida, Giuseppe Favalli, Thiaguinho, Luca Antonini, Ignazio Abate, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Ivan Gennaro Gattuso, Ronaldinho, Marco Borriello and David Beckham.

Inter: Julio César, Walter Samuel, Ferreira Lucio, Esteban Cambiasso, Davide Santon, Maicon, Wesley Sneijder, Sulley Muntar, Javier Zanetti, Diego Milito and Goran Pandev.

Wesley Sneijder was given a straight red card for verbally abusing the referee in the Milan derby, but his Inter Milan side went into the break 1-0 leaders over rivals AC. Diego Milito put the Serie A leaders ahead with a neat finish after poor defending from Ignazio Abate.
pandev makes 2 - 0 with his freekick

Inter vs Milan : Derby Della Madonina : The Real Derby

Inter milan vs Ac milan : January 24, 2010

Probable Inter Milan team (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Walter Samuel, Lucio, Ivan Cordoba, Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, Mario Balotelli, Wesley Sneijder, Goran Pandev, Diego Milito.

Probable AC Milan team (4-3-3): Dida, Ignazio Abate, Thiago Silva, Alessandro Nesta, Luca Antonini, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini, Ronaldinho, Marco Borriello, David Beckham.


When AC Milan and their new coach Leonardo were humbled in a 4-0 defeat to Inter in only the second Serie A game of the season, it appeared that the balance of power in Lombardy was to remain tipped in the Nerazzurri's favour. Five months on, and the resurgent Rossoneri are back in the title hunt and within touching distance of their great rivals ahead of Sunday's derby meeting.

• Matteo Bonetti on the Milan derby

With Inter retaining a vice-like grip over the Scudetto, winning the title for the past four seasons, the red half of Milan has not enjoyed a Serie A triumph since 2004. But thanks to a run of eight wins in nine league games, Leonardo's side go into Sunday's Derby della Madonnina just six points behind their great rivals with a game in hand and with belief palpably growing.

Sensing a real tilt at the title, and with Inter requiring remarkable comebacks to salvage a 4-3 win against Siena on January 9 and a point in a 2-2 draw with Bari last weekend, the momentum is most certainly with the Rossoneri. Another win would reinforce suggestions that the tide is turning in Serie A, but to do so, they will need to end Jose Mourinho's unbeaten record in home league games which stretches back eight years with three different clubs.

Inter Milan player in focus: Goran Pandev. The striker has started three games since joining Inter on a free transfer from Lazio at the start of January and has quickly proved influential. It was the Macedonian who played in Walter Samuel for an injury-time winner against Siena and then sparked a spirited comeback against Bari when netting his first for the Nerazzuri. With Samuel Eto'o at the African Nations Cup with Cameroon, Pandev will look to dovetail with Argentine striker Diego Milito to great effect.

AC Milan player in focus: Ronaldinho. Who else could it be but the Brazilian? With six goals in his past three games, including a hat-trick last weekend against Siena, Ronaldinho is now as close as he ever has been to recapturing the genius that saw him named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Vastly influential both in terms of goals and assists this season, Ronaldinho is playing with real exuberance and his renaissance has mirrored that of his club. Inter must shackle him at all costs on Sunday.

Key battle: Wesley Sneijder v Massimo Ambrosini. Inter's flying Dutchman made his debut for the club with an illuminating display in the 4-0 derby win in August and his impact on Inter has been considerable. With five goals and six assists, Sneijder is the creative hub around which the team revolves and the man charged with subduing him will be Ambrosini. The AC Milan captain will join Gennaro Gattuso in attempting to bully Sneijder out of possession but if they fail, the vision of the summer signing from Real Madrid could be a real threat as Inter look to exploit any opportunities on the break.

Tactics: Given their position in the table, it must be expected that AC Milan will be the side that looks to take the initiative and go on the offensive. Whether Jose Mourinho parks the bus remains to be seen but, in the homeland of catenaccio, do not expect Inter to adopt a gung-ho approach, even if they are the 'home' side. Milan will be keen to distribute the ball quickly and effectively to Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo and David Beckham, all of whom are more than proficient in the art of delivery, meaning lone striker Marco Borriello should enjoy a number of chances. Inter will also line up with one out-an-out striker in Diego Milito, with Pandev, Sneijder and possibly Mario Balotelli, the 'enfant terrible' of Italian football, the attacking elements in what will become a five-man midfield when possession is lost.

Quotes: Jose Mourinho produces a sarcastic response following AC Milan's success in postponing a Coppa Italia fixture on Wednesday night, leaving them to focus solely on the derby: "I have Samuel Eto'o involved in the African Nations Cup and four midfield players out injured. I'd like not to play Sunday's derby."

Leonardo on Ronaldinho's recent form and the Rossoneri's chances: "He is the greatest footballer in the world and he has re-found his taste for football. This derby arrives at the right time for us. We are getting closer to Inter and it will be an extraordinary game."

In the news: Two coaches who know intimately the unique atmosphere of the Derby della Madonnina have had their say on Sunday's match. Former Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti, now at Chelsea of course, reckons: "The game is leaning on Milan's side as they head into it with shining form." Surprisingly, Roberto Mancini, formerly of Inter and now residing at Manchester City, has also hinted that the advantage lies with the 'away' side. He said: "It's impossible to say who will emerge victorious, but Milan have a chance of a lifetime. The Rossoneri are in excellent form, while it seems like Inter are a bit off-colour."

Inter Milan team news: Mourinho could be forced to field a weakened midfield as Thiago Motta and Dejan Stankovic are both doubts while Sulley Muntari also picked up a thigh problem in training on Wednesday. Striker Eto'o is at the African Nations Cup, so January signing Pandev will be handed another chance to impress. Cristian Chivu remains sidelined with a fractured skull.

AC Milan team news: Leonardo has his fingers crossed that experienced defender Alessandro Nesta will be able to recover from a muscle strain sustained in last weekend's 4-0 win over Siena. Brazilian talent Alexandre Pato is still struggling with a thigh problem so David Beckham is expected to continue on the right side of Leonardo's front three. Clarence Seedorf, Mathieu Flamini and Gianluca Zambrotta are all doubts.

Serie A : Milan 0 - Inter 4

MILAN: Storari; Zambrotta, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Flamini; Ronaldinho; Borriello, Pato.
INTER: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Thiago Motta; Sneijder; Milito, Eto'o.

At San Siro it finished Milan-Inter 0-4. In the first half the Nerazzurri scored through Thiago Motta in the 29th minute, Milito on a penalty in the 36th minute, and Maicon in the 46th minute. In the second half Stankovic scored in the 67th minute.

It should have been a great night, possibly that of the rebirth for the morale and the ambition of the Rossoneri. Only 20 minutes were played well by Leonardo's men, who after a great start gave way to a cynical and fast Inter team. For Mourinho's men the goals came from Thiago Motta, Milito, Maicon and Stankovic.

The first derby without Kaká, Maldini and Ibrahimovic, the first in an August night. Leonardo didn't change the team, on the bench go Inzaghi, Seedorf, Huntelaar, and Ambrosini. On his part Mourinho immediately sent new playmaker Sneijder on the pitch behind Milito and Eto'o.

Both teams played aggressively and at a high rhythm from the start. Milan controlled the match, with more personality and clarity, and without getting intimidated by a shot from Sneijder in the 5th minute which was well saved by Storari. Leonardo often told the team to play with a defence high up the pitch, Nesta and Thiago Silva anticipated Milito and Eto'o, in the 7th minute Flamini went past Maicon, Borriello played in support of Pato's runs. The first 17 minutes saw Milan dominate against an intimidated opponent. In the 15th minute Pato entered the penalty area and played it to Ronaldinho, whose shot was off target.

After 20 minutes the match decidedly changed. In the 29th minute Inter showed speed and skill, with a quick move with one-touch football, as Milito found Thiago Motta who unexpectedly gave Inter the lead. Milan tried to regain control of the match while Inter played how they know best, using Eto'o and Maicon's speed. In the 36th minute Milan lost it, as Eto'o found a long corridor in the penalty area, where he was fouled by Gattuso. The penalty was converted by Milito. After a perfect start to the match the Rossoneri started to show tangible nervousness. In the 39th minute Gattuso, who had been booked after conceding the penalty, made a bad tackle in midfield and was sent off with a second yellow card. In the 46th minute Maicon received a pass from Milito and made it 3-0.

In the second half Leonardo sent in Ambrosini and Seedorf instead of Flamini and Borriello. The rhythm was much slower than in the first half, Milan tried to play while Inter tried to hit on the break. In the 19th minute Ronaldinho came off for Huntelaar, while Eto'o scored but was stopped in an offside position. As minutes passed Inter regained control of the match. In the 22nd minute a great goal by Stankovic made it four for Inter. In the 30th minute Eto'o again tried to score, but the Cameroonian's shot went just wide. The final minutes of the match saw Milan look for the goal but with the morale clearly gone.