Kaka 2-0
Cruz 2-1
Milan with 3 points from the derby
A fabulous goal and an assist from Kaka made it a perfect afternoon for Milan. They have claimed local bragging rights, prevented bitter rivals Inter from winning the Scudetto, and also motored into fourth place on the back of a 2-1 win against Inter...
Milan were without the Brazilian quartet of Ronaldo, Emerson, Serginho and Nelson Dida due to injury, as well as captain Paolo Maldini. The on-fire Pippo Inzaghi started as the lone striker again, supported by Clarence Seedorf and Kaka.
Inter meanwhile, who were hoping to clinch the Scudetto this afternoon, were minus the services of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Figo, as well as long-term injury absentees Olivier Dacourt, Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba. Julio Cruz partnered Hernan Crespo up-front, with Nuno Maniche getting a rare starting role in midfield.
Milan started the brighter of the two teams, with Andrea Pirlo curling a 35 yard free kick over the bar. Inzaghi almost pounced on some hesitation from Julio Cesar, but Marco Materazzi saw the danger out.
Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf let fly from fully 30 yards, but both of their shots swerved well off target. Milan were dominating possession, and Seedorf’s dangerous cross was headed into the path of Giuseppe Favalli, who flashed a volley wide.
On 20 minutes the Rossoneri missed a great chance to take the lead as Kaka slipped Inzaghi through on goal with a perfect pass, but Julio Cesar turned the poacher’s shot around the post.
Daniele Bonera then smashed in a cross that was deflected into the side-netting., before Hernan Crespo had Inter's first shot of the game, screwing well wide from 25 yards.
Inzaghi had another fine chance as Favalli's cross located him at the far post, but Julio Cesar made the block. SuperPippo was offside, so the goal wouldn't have counted anyway.
Materazzi's poor clearance then found Gennaro Gattuso, whose cross almost located Inzaghi. The striker’s movement was a real problem for the Inter centre backs, and he was inches away from meeting Bonera’s right-wing cross.
Gattuso was the next Milan player to try his luck, but the hardman dragged his attempt wide from outside the area. Inter launched a rare attack on 43 minutes, and Maniche let fly from 30 yards, but it was easy for Zeljko Kalac.
In first half injury time Inzaghi was agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock following a delightful Milan move. Seedorf chipped the ball up for Kaka who volleyed the ball across the six yard box for Inzaghi's diving header, which crept centimetres past the far post.
The pattern of the game continued after the break. A corner from the left from Pirlo was headed over the bar by Ambrosini from just yards out.
Milan finally took the lead on 52 minutes and it was inevitable that Inzaghi would be the scorer. Kaka left Materazzi for dead down the right, and Inzaghi nipped in front of Rivas at the near post to nod the ball past Julio Cesar. It was SuperPippo’s ninth goal in five games.
Milan went looking for the second and Gattuso won the ball from Materazzi, who was having a horror show. Seedorf smashed the ball wide from 25 yards.
Moments later it was 2-0. Vieira lost the ball to Ambrosini, who fed the ball to Kaka, and the Brazilian slid the ball past Julio Cesar to spark scenes of delight among the Milan players.
Inter tried to react. Maniche hit a daisycutter straight at Kalac, before the Australian goalkeeper made a great save from Crespo, who had found himself one-on-one with the keeper. Maicon's shot was tipped over by Kalac as Inter threw everyone forward, introducing striker Balotelli for midfielder Maniche.
On 76 minutes they got back into the game thanks to a fantastic free kick from Cruz. The Argentine curled the ball over the wall from 25 yards and into the corner, with Kalac a statue.
Inter now went looking for the equaliser. Maicon saw his shot deflected wide, while Milan substitute Alexandre Pato wasted a good counter attacking opportunity. Materazzi wasted a free header at the back post from a corner, before Kalac was forced into a fine save from substitute Maxwell’s curling free kick.
Milan were finding space as Inter attacked, and Pirlo could have closed the game when he found himself all alone with Julio Cesar, but the playmaker’s effort was blocked. In the final minute of injury time Inter were awarded a free kick just outside the area, but Christian Chivu curled well over.
This victory for Milan sees them move into fourth place following Fiorentina’s defeat at Cagliari. Inter meanwhile see their Scudetto celebrations put on ice for at least another week due to Roma’s 3-0 win at Sampdoria.
Milan: Kalac, Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli (Jankulovski 41), Ambrosini, Gattuso (Brocchi 66), Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka, Inzaghi (Pato 76)
Inter: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Rivas (Maxwell 80), Materazzi, Chivu, Vieira, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Maniche (Balotelli 64), Cruz, Crespo (Suazo 72)
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