Half-Time Report: Goalless in Derby della Madonnina

Inter Milan and AC Milan have played out a goalless first half in the Derby della Madonnina at the San Siro this evening.

Inter almost got off to the worst of starts when Jeison Murillo gave the ball away to Carlos Bacca who then found Luiz Adriano, only for the frontman to be denied by Samir Handanovic despite the one-on-one situation.

Roberto Mancini's men sought to reply instantly with a chance of their own, and Stevan Jovetic came close with a long-range effort that crept past the wrong side of the post.

The game continued at an impressive tempo, but neither side could muster too much in front of goal, leaving Keisuke Honda to seek out an effort from range that was handled comfortably by Handanovic.

Jovetic sought to turn the screw for Inter just before the interval as he sized up an effort from 25 yards out, leaving a line of retreating Milan defenders to see the ball whistle just wide of the target.

The Nerazzurri should have taken the lead right on the stroke of half time, but Mauro Icardi was denied by Diego Lopez down low after the frontman had broken through from Ivan Perisic's defence-splitting ball.