The curse of the derby is past! It took two long years for AC Milan to beat their city rival. Three important factors helped

For two long years AC Milan failed to win the city derby against Inter. But thanks to three important factors, Paul Fonseca’s charges managed to do it on Sunday night. The curse is now in the past.

• The derby between Inter and AC Milan was dominated 2: 1 by AC
• The Nerrazzuri won after six long years
• Three factors helped coach Paul Fonseca

Six derby losses under Stefano Pioli are in the past. AC Milan, under new coach Paulo Fonseca, lifted a two-year curse and triumphed 2-1 over Inter at the San Siro. The win was decided in the last minute by stopper Matteo Gabbia.

Italian journalist Luca Bianchino’s commentary for gazzetta.it highlighted three factors that helped AC to level the table on points with their city rivals. Both teams now have eight points after five rounds. Inter are sixth, with AC just behind thanks to a worse scoreline.

“The main credit for AC Milan’s win goes to coach Fonseca and his three trump cards. They are head, tactics and physical stability. In Fonseca’s words, he spoke for more than an hour with the whole team on Wednesday morning. The fifty-one-year-old Portuguese’s motivation has clearly worked,” writes Bianchina.

AC Milan’s tactical and physical readiness

The journalist also highlights the way Fonseca prepared his charges tactically. Defensively, he again relied on a four-man system and found a bigger role for Tijjani Reijnders in the centre of midfield. The Dutchman was the best man on the pitch, assisting the winning goal.

“Throughout the game, Inter’s players didn’t seem to keep up physically, even after Simone Inzaghi made three changes in the 63rd minute. However, even newcomers Frattesi, Darmina and Asllani did not change the history of the match,” Bianchina said.

Another important aspect of the Nerrazzuzi’s famous victory was Christian Pulisic’s early goal. The winger with the American pass made his way through in the 10th minute, his third goal in the new Serie A season, and he also notched two assists.

Dimarco’s equaliser in the 27th minute did not bring any points for the defending champions in the final. AC coach Fonseca probably saved his job, because after a miserable start of the league and a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League opener, there was loud talk about his dismissal.

Source: gazzetta.it