AC Milan’s 1-0 derby win over Inter Milan narrows the Serie A title gap to seven points, keeping the Rossoneri’s Scudetto hopes alive.
AC MILAN trimmed Inter Milan’s lead at the top of Serie A to seven points with a hard-fought 1-0 derby victory at the San Siro on Sunday.
Pervis Estupinan’s first-half strike proved decisive as Massimiliano Allegri’s side extended their unbeaten run against their city rivals to seven meetings in all competitions.
The win keeps Milan’s title hopes alive and marks their first league double over Inter since Allegri’s first Scudetto-winning season in charge 15 years ago.
Inter could have moved 13 points clear with just 10 matches remaining but instead suffered their first league defeat since the previous derby in November.
“They still have a seven-point lead and remain the favourites for the title — the championship will be decided from March onwards,” said Allegri after the match.
Estupinan struck 10 minutes before half-time, lashing in his first goal for the club after an excellent team move and a perfect through ball from Youssouf Fofana.
Milan then produced a dogged defensive display in the second period to secure a crucial three points.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric, who went close to an early goal, hailed a “well-deserved victory”.
“I don’t know if we can say the championship is back on. For us, the title race was still open, it’s even more so now,” Modric said.
Inter coach Cristian Chivu was left to rue a lacklustre performance from his side, who snapped an eight-match winning run in the league.
“We never managed to get into a good position, we lacked dynamism, we need to improve even more,” said Chivu.
The league leaders monopolised possession after the break but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Milan defence.
Inter missed a glorious chance to level in the 54th minute when Federico Dimarco sent his shot over the crossbar from Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s cut-back.
The result leaves Inter still on track to regain the crown they lost to Napoli last term, but with more work to do.
Neither Milan club has ever won Serie A in a season where they lost both derbies.
In other Serie A action, Roma dropped out of the top four after a late 2-1 defeat at Genoa.
Vitinha’s strike for the hosts allowed Como, who beat Cagliari on Saturday, to take the final Champions League berth on goal difference.
Roma will travel to face Como in a week’s time in what could prove a crucial clash in the battle for European qualification.
