AC Milan and Inter Milan could not be separated at the San Siro as the two fierce rivals played out a 1-1 draw in Serie A.
Jeremy Menez put his side in charge in the 23rd minute with a fine volley, but Inter would hit back just after the hour mark when Joel Obi picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Stephan El Shaarawy and Mauro Icardi hit the crossbar for their respective sides late on as Filippo Inzaghi and Roberto Mancini, who was taking charge of Inter for the first time since his return to the club, were both forced to settle for a point.
Read below to find out how events unfolded in the Derby della Madonnina.
Good evening everyone. AC Milan and Inter Milan may not be the forces they once were in European football, but this derby remains one of the most eagerly anticipated games in football. Can Roberto Mancini start his second Inter reign with a win? Or will it be Filippo Inzaghi and AC Milan who are celebrating later tonight?
This match used to decide who was in charge in the Serie A title race. Things are little different now, with both sides just desperate to be challenging for a spot in the Champions League. Even that target could be too difficult, but that doesn't take any of the spice away from this fixture.
These two teams are separated by just one point heading into tonight's fixture, with Milan one place above Inter in eighth. Inter are desperate for a boost after parting company with Walter Mazzarri before the international break. Mancini's return came as a bit of a surprise, but can he take this side back to the glory days? A win in the derby would be a great start.
AC MILAN: Diego Lopez; Rami, Zapata, Mexes, De Sciglio; Bonaventura, Essien, Muntari, El Shaarawy; Menez; Torres
SUBS: Abbiati, Agazzi, Albertazzi, Armero, Zaccardo, Montolivo, Poli, Saponara, Van Ginkel, Honda, Niang, Pazzini
It's not been an easy start to life in Milan for Fernando Torres, but he can win a lot of supporters with a big performance in attack tonight. The Spaniard's main support will come from Stephan El Shaarawy and Jeremy Menez. As expected, Riccardo Montolivo is back on the bench after breaking his leg on international duty almost six months ago.
INTER MILAN: Handanovic; Nagatomo, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Dodò; Guarin, Kuzmanovic, Obi; Kovacic; Icardi, Palacio
SUBS: Carrizo, Berni, Andreolli, Osvaldo, Campagnaro, Vidic, D'Ambrosio, Krhin, Donkor, Hernanes, M'Vila, Bonazzoli
Mancini makes a statement with his first team selection back at Inter by leaving Nemanja Vidic on the bench. It's fair to say that the Serbian has not been at his best since arriving in the summer. Juan Jesus starts alongside Andrea Ranocchia in the centre of defence. Mauro Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio lead the attack, while Brazilian midfielder Hernanes is named as a substitute. Gary Medel misses out due to suspension.
36 - There have been 36 Serie A Milan Derbies in November so far: 12 wins for AC Milan, 11 for Inter, 13 draws. Appetizer.
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) November 23, 2014
In recent season it has been Inter who have dominated in the derby. Nigel de Jong's goal handed Milan the win in the last meeting in May, but Inter have managed to come out on top in four of the previous six games between the two sides.
Legendary Milan striker Inzaghi is of course the man in the suit these days, but he knows exactly what it takes to win this derby. Surprisingly, the poacher didn't have a great record against Inter, scoring just four time against the enemy. Andriy Shevchenko has scored more goals than anyone else in this fixture. The Ukranian found the net 14 times in the Derby della Madonnina
PREDICTION: Kickoff is just 15 minutes away, so it's time for a prediction. We often see that a new manager can have an immediate impact on a team's fortunes, and Inter should produce an improved performance tonight. Milan are desperate for a win after four Serie A games without a victory. I can't separate these two sides. 2-2.
The fact that these sides are closer to the bottom of Serie A than the top tells you how much things have changed in Italy in recent seasons. Supporters of both clubs would prefer to be fighting for a title, but they'll be happy with bragging rights over their city rivals for now.
Mancini has attempted to lower expectations, telling reporters earlier this week: "The first thing I focused on, more than tactics, was enthusiasm. When will we see a winning Inter? There is no precise date for objectives, but we do need to hurry our improvement."
The former Man City boss could have said anything before the game, he knows a loss just isn't good enough.
Here we go then. The players are in the tunnel at the San Siro. It's Milan's home fixture tonight, so the majority of supporters are of course in red and black in the stands. As always, the atmosphere is going to be electric.
It will be AC Milan who get the game underway.
Inter threaten in the opening minute when Palacio flicks on a long ball with a header inside the box. He thinks he was fouled by Mexes, but the referee correctly ignores the protests.
El Shaarawy has started the game on the left wing, but he's been given plenty of attention by Inter in the early stages. Both sides have enjoyed spells in charge. Muntari looks at the referee after falling in the box, but he's not kidding anyone.
It's very open early on. An inviting cross from Menez almost finds El Shaarawy in the box, but the presence of Torres appears to distract the Italian forward. Milan starting to take control.
Milan decide to take their first corner short, but El Shaarawy wastes the opportunity by missing all of his teammates in the box with a poor cross. Inter are losing the battle in midfield at the moment. Bonaventura, Essien and Muntari are seeing a lot of the ball.
SAVE! Inter should be ahead. Muntari's terrible pass plays in Icardi, who just has Diego Lopez to beat after sprinting clear of the Milan defence. However, Lopez manages to get a foot on Icardi's weak finish.
Palacio had done a lot of running already. That chance appears to have given Inter confidence, with Palacio dropping deeper to get the midfield involved. Icardi almost benefits from his strike partner's hard work, but he can only glance a header away from the danger zone.
Inter are starting to improve as Milan drop deeper to defend. Guarin fins some space 30 yards from goal, and he tests Lopez with a powerful strike after being invited to strike. The Milan goalkeeper manages to collect at the second attempt.
The match is stopped at the San Siro to allow medical staff on the pitch. Dodo is the injured player, and it doesn't look good. A replay shows that Muntari caught the defender with an elbow. There's some blood, but it looks like Dodo will continue. Muntari is lucky to get away without a punishment.
Dodo is finally able to return to the pitch after receiving treatment on the touchline. Mancini will be happy with how his side are playing now. They've come closest to scoring, but he won't want to miss many more opportunities.
Wasteful from Milan, and Inzaghi does not look happy. Inter concede a free kick 35 yards from goal, but Menez decides to ignore his teammates in the box by firing a wayward effort over. Poor effort.
Inter look sharper to every ball at the moment, but they've lacked ideas in the final third of the pitch. De Sciglio invites a few angry glares from his teammates by drilling a speculative wide after sprinting up the left wing to get involved in an attack.
Guarin finds a yard of space inside the box, but Zpaata responds well to quickly dispossess the midfielder. Good defending.
GOAL! AC MILAN 1-0 INTER MILAN (MENEZ)
Milan take the lead with a brilliant goal! El Shaarawy exchanges passes with Essien on the left before delivering a cross to Menez, who opens his body up to steer a volley past a helpless Handanovic. It's a lovely finish from the Frenchman.
Can Inter respond? They've edged possession in the first half, but it's Milan who took their chance. Icardi's miss could come back to haunt Mancini. The likes of Kovacic and Obi need to get involved more further up the pitch.
Milan have grown in confidence since breaking the deadlock. Inzaghi's side are passing the ball around much quicker in midfield. Inter survive a spell of pressure when Bonaventura's corner is cleared at the back post.
YELLOW CARD! Mexes picks up the first yellow card of the evening after blocking off Guarin, who had threatened to create a chance for Inter following a poor pass in midfield by Muntari. Fortunately for Milan, Inter fail to take advantage of the free kick.
A big concern for Inter is that Dodo has been on and off the pitch receiving treatment in the past few minutes after being caught by Muntari's elbow earlier on. Mancini will not want to turn to his bench before the break.
YELLOW CARD! Kuzmanovic delivers a poor corner, but he does well to quickly win the ball back for his side. Inter are unable to keep the pressure on, though. The referee is forced to get the book out for the second time moments later when Obi chops down Bonaventura with a poor tackle.
Superb from Muntari, who sprints back to stop Guarin with a brilliant tackle on the right wing. Essien joins his fellow midfielder in clearing the danger as Milan get back onto the front foot again. Very little between these two sides. Only a stunning finish from Menez separates the rivals.
Palacio has played on the right for much of the first half to allow Inter to switch to a 4-5-1 when they don't have the ball. Inter looked most dangerous when he was closer to Icardi, whose influence on the game has faded since his miss.
Zapata leads a counter attack for Milan by storming past a few Inter players on his way up the left wing. He picks the right ball, but the cross is too firm for Torres, who is unable to collect inside the box.
Inter are lacking the quality they need in the final third of the pitch. After a couple of nervy moments early in the game, Milan have defended very well. Zapata, in particular, is having an excellent game.
Clever play from Palacio and Nagatomo on the right wing to create space for the latter, but his cross is easily collected at the near post by Lopez. Inter are seeing more of the ball in the closing stages of the first half. An equaliser before half time could be vital.
Bonaventura and Ranocchia clash when the former attempts to stop Milan from taking a free kick. The referee is over quickly to calm things down. Moments earlier, El Shaarawy wasted a chance to pick out Torres in the middle by choosing a tricky ball to the edge of the box for Muntari, who eventually gave away a free kick.
HALF TIME: AC MILAN 1-0 INTER MILAN
Inter waste another corner late in the first half, before the referee takes the players back inside. Menez's brilliant volleyed finish has given Milan the lead over Inter at the halfway stage. Both sides have enjoyed spells on top, but neither have hit top gear yet.
You do have to wonder just how important Icardi's miss at 0-0 could be later in the game. Lopez did well to get a foot on the ball, but the goalkeeper really shouldn't have been given a chance to keep the shot out. Milan headed into this game without a win in five matches. An early goal would have hit Inzaghi's side hard.
BENCH WATCH: Inter are not out of this game. They've matched their rivals for long periods, but Mancini could be thinking about a change soon. Hernanes could add some creativity in midfield. Kovacic has struggled to get involved on a regular basis. Inzaghi has plenty of options, too. The fans will want to see the return of Montolivo, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Keisuke Honda or Giampaolo Pazzini replace Torres, who has been quiet.
Mancini will be desperate to see a response. He'll know he can't change Inter's fortunes overnight, but with Roma awaiting next weekend, the returning coach will be feeling the pressure if he tastes defeat this evening.
The players are back out on the pitch at the San Siro. No changes yet from either manager, but Honda was being put through his paces during the interval, so the Japan international could be sent on soon. Inter will get the game back underway.
Inter start the second half on the front foot, but Milan manage to relieve the pressure when Lopez collects Obi's dangerous corner. Excellent goalkeeping.
Neither side have been able to keep the ball for an extended period since the break. Milan are defending surprisingly deep. El Shaarawy is holding his width. He'll be key if Milan attempt to operate on the counter attack.
Lopez does well again to sprint off his line and take a high cross from Kuzmanovic, whose delivery is met with an angry response from Palacio. Once again, it's a poor decision from Inter in an attacking area.
CHANCE! Milan come close to doubling their advantage through Bonaventura, who earns space inside the box with a clever turn before seeing a strike hit Ranocchia and drift just past the post. Inter manage to clear the corner which follows.
Nagatomo is gifted far too much space on the right, but luckily for Milan his powerful cross is deflected behind for a corner.
SAVE! Lopez comes to the rescue for Milan again. Inter cause problems with a well worked short corner routine. Kuzmanovic finds himself in plenty of space inside the box, but his attempt to fire the ball across the goal is blocked by Lopez. A loose ball then falls to Obi, who sends a shot over the crossbar.
Inter are dominating possession again, but are Milan are defending narrowly to make life difficult for their rivals. Mancini will surely have to change something soon. Inter's attacks have been too easy to read tonight.
Silly from Juan Jesus as he pushes Menez over on the right wing, despite the Frenchman appearing to have nowhere to go. Luckily for Inter, the free kick into the box is cleared.
GOAL! AC MILAN 1-1 INTER MILAN (OBI)
Inter draw level through Obi, who latches onto Zapata's poor clearance before picking out the bottom corner with a powerful low strike. Lopez was helpless on that occasion. Zapata will have to take the blame for failing to clear a cross into the box.
How will the two teams respond to the equaliser? Both managers will surely be pushing for the win, and it really could go either way at the San Siro. It could be a night when substitutes make the difference.
It looked like Hernanes was coming on before the equaliser, but he's taken his seat back on the bench now. Inter are a step quicker to everything at the moment, but Milan are halting their progress well.
YELLOW CARD! The challenges are flying in now. Bonaventura becomes the latest player to pick up a yellow card following a late tackle on Palacio. Inter decide against sending the ball into the box as Mancini's side look to retain possession in midfield.
YELLOW CARD! Torres has barely been involved, but he offers a reminder of his qualities with a brilliant turn of pace to fool Juan Jesus, who is cautioned for a late tackle on the Spaniard. Milan have a free kick 25 yards from goal.
Muntari is interested in taking the free kick, but Menez wins the battle with his teammate before sending a poor strike over the crossbar. 20 minutes plus stoppage time remaining at the San Siro. Will there be a winner?
SUBSTITUTIONS: Mancini and Inzaghi both use a break in play to make changes. Goalscorer Obi makes way for Hernanes, while Honda is on for the disappointing Torres.
Hernanes is involved immediately as he capitalises on a mistake from Essien. However, the Brazilian's attempt to find Icardi ends in disappointment as Mexes steps in to clear the danger. Crucial interception from the French defender.
CROSSBAR! What a chance for Milan. Bonaventura plays the perfect pass to release El Shaarawy, whose pace takes him clear of the Inter defence. Handanovic is sent the wrong way, but El Shaarawy can only strike the crossbar with his shot. Will Milan regret that miss?
SUBSTITUTION: Inzaghi makes another change as Andrea Poli comes off the bench to replace Muntari.
CROSSBAR! Icardi follows El Shaarawy's example by testing the strength of the woodwork. Nagatomo starts the move with a brilliant run on the right before finding Guarin, whose chipped pass is volleyed against the top of the bar by Icardi. Great effort from the forward, but he'll be disappointed not to score.
Milan have started to hit the channels with long balls, but Honda has struggled to retain possession in difficult positions. El Shaarawy almost forces an opening with a clever run. However, his refusal to lay the ball back to Honda was a mistake.
The medical staff are sent onto the pitch to treat Essien, who might just be struggling with cramp. He's jogging on the sidelines moments later, so the Ghanaian should be fine to continue.
Silly from Palacio, who gifts Milan a free kick just outside the box on the left with a needless tackle on El Shaarawy. Honda's delivery is poor, though, and Inter are able to clear the danger.
Rami takes the ball out of play on the right wing, but the assistant referee fails to spot it and Milan then win a corner. The set piece comes to nothing due to another poor delivery. It's Milan who are applying the pressure late on.
SUBSTITUTION: Mancini rolls the dice as Dani Osvaldo comes on to replace Icardi in attack. Will there be another chance for either side?
Guarin is the latest player to require treatment on the pitch, but the midfielder doesn't seem to be in too much pain. Palacaio's cross into the box causes a few problems. However, Osvaldo is unable to direct a header towards goal from a tight angle. Four minutes of stoppage time to be played.
Inter are now dominating possession following an extended spell on the back foot. Dodo attempts to find Osvaldo with a high cross into the box, but Lopez continues an impressive display by coming off his line to collect.
Guarin looks to release Osvaldo with a long ball forward, but Lopez does well to keep gather the ball and prevent himself from sliding out of the box.
CHANCE! Milan miss a great chance to collect all three points. Honda's cross into the box causes all sorts of problems for the Inter defence. The loose ball eventually falls to Poli, whose strike hits Ranocchia before rolling just past the post. He should have hit the target from a great position inside the box. Yann M'Vila is then sent on to replace Kovacic.
FULL TIME: AC MILAN 1-1 INTER MILAN
It's all over at the San Siro. Both managers will walk away knowing that their side could have picked up all three points this evening. Poor finishing cost Milan and Inter at crucial stages in the game. For Mancini, it's a positive start to his second stint with Inter, but they remain one point behind their fierce rivals.
That's all from our live coverage tonight. I hope you've enjoyed following the match with Sports Mole. Read a full report of the Milan derby here - AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan. Goodnight.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
