Introduction to the derby
The Derby della Madonnina is one of world football’s most storied
and emotionally charged rivalries, contested between AC
Milan and Inter
Milan at the shared San Siro. Named after the Madonnina statue atop
Milan Cathedral, the derby reflects not only sporting competition but
contrasting identities, cultures, and eras within the same city. Since the
first official meeting in 1909, this Serie A (Italy) derby has produced
title-deciding clashes, European nights, domestic cup drama and some of the
most iconic figures in football history, making the AC Milan vs Inter Milan
head-to-head a reference point for derby rivalries globally.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
Across more than a century of competitive football, the Derby
della Madonnina head-to-head record shows an exceptionally tight rivalry,
with momentum swinging between the two clubs depending on era, management and
squad quality.
| Category | Inter Milan |
Draws | AC Milan |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-time meetings (official) | 91 wins |
71 | 83 wins |
| Total goals scored |
341 | – | 323 |
| Serie A meetings | 70 wins |
57 | 56 wins |
| Coppa Italia meetings | 9 wins |
9 | 11 wins |
| European competition meetings | 2 wins |
2 | 2 wins |
The totals suggest a marginal historical edge for Inter
Milan, particularly in league play, while AC
Milan have often balanced the rivalry through cup and European
encounters. Early decades favoured Milan, post-war periods swung towards
Inter, and the modern era has seen shorter cycles of dominance, underlining
how tactical evolution and squad turnover drive shifts in the overall Derby
della Madonnina record.
Recent Head-to-Head Matches (Last 10 Encounters)
The most recent AC
Milan vs Inter
Milan results highlight how the derby remains decisive in league
races, cup progression and Supercoppa honours, often with fine margins and
dramatic momentum shifts.
| Date | Competition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 2025 | Serie A | San Siro |
Inter 0–1 AC Milan |
| 23 Apr 2025 | Coppa Italia |
San Siro | AC Milan 3–0 Inter |
| 06 Jan 2025 | Supercoppa Italiana |
Riyadh | Inter 2–3 AC Milan |
| 22 Apr 2024 | Serie A | San Siro |
AC Milan 1–2 Inter |
| 16 Sep 2023 | Serie A |
San Siro | Inter 5–1 AC Milan |
| 10 May 2023 | UEFA Champions League |
San Siro | Inter 1–0 AC Milan |
| 02 May 2023 | UEFA Champions League |
San Siro | AC Milan 0–2 Inter |
| 18 Jan 2023 | Supercoppa Italiana |
Riyadh | AC Milan 0–3 Inter |
| 05 Feb 2022 | Serie A |
San Siro | Inter 1–2 AC Milan |
| 07 Nov 2021 | Serie A |
San Siro | AC Milan 1–1 Inter |
Recent meetings show a strong venue tilt despite the shared
stadium, with designated “away” sides frequently winning. Supercoppa fixtures
have been high-scoring and open, while Champions League ties have been
tactically cautious. Discipline, set-pieces and wing overloads have
repeatedly shaped outcomes, rather than sustained possession dominance.
Key Players & Rivalries by Era
Classic era (1950s–1970s)
This period defined the derby’s global reputation. AC
Milan icons such as Gunnar Nordahl, Gianni Rivera and Cesare
Maldini clashed with Inter
legends like Sandro Mazzola, Giacinto Facchetti and Tarcisio Burgnich. These
were tactical chess matches between Milan’s technical midfield control and
Inter’s explosive counter-attacking identity.
Notable duels included Rivera vs Facchetti, a battle of creativity
against athletic
overlap, and Nordahl vs Burgnich, where physical centre-back play met
ruthless penalty-box finishing.
European dominance era (1980s–2000s)
As both clubs became continental forces, derbies increasingly
influenced European momentum. Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Andriy
Shevchenko symbolised Milan’s
structure and lethal transitions, while Inter
countered with Giuseppe Bergomi, Javier Zanetti and Ronaldo Nazário’s
explosive attacking threat.
Key rivalries included Maldini vs Ronaldo on the flank, Zanetti vs
Shevchenko in transitional phases, and captaincy battles between Baresi’s
organisational authority and Bergomi’s defensive resilience.
Modern and current era (2010s–present)
The modern Derby della Madonnina reflects pressing intensity and
tactical flexibility. Zlatan Ibrahimović, Rafael
Leão and Theo
Hernández have shaped Milan’s
recent approach, while Inter’s
Lautaro Martínez, Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni define their
aggressive, vertical style.
Contemporary duels often hinge on Hernández vs Dumfries down the
left, Barella vs Milan’s
double pivot in midfield control, and Ibrahimović or Leão testing Inter’s
back three through physical and pace-based mismatches.
| Era | Club | Player | Role in derby context |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | AC Milan |
Gianni Rivera |
Creative leader | Tempo control and decisive passing |
| Classic | Inter | Sandro Mazzola |
Attacking focal point | Early goals and counter-attacks |
| European | AC Milan |
Paolo Maldini | Defensive anchor |
Neutralised elite attackers |
| European | Inter | Javier Zanetti |
Captain and wing engine |
Consistency across eras |
| Modern | AC Milan |
Rafael Leão |
Wide attacker | Pace-driven transitions |
| Modern | Inter | Lautaro Martínez |
Pressing striker |
Leads front-line intensity |
This spread of players illustrates how the rivalry adapts
stylistically, with each era producing new focal points while maintaining the
derby’s core themes of leadership, tactical discipline and individual
match-ups.
H2H Detailed Analysis
Across the AC
Milan Inter
Milan head-to-head, patterns emerge around momentum runs rather
than sustained supremacy. Inter’s stronger league consistency contrasts with
Milan’s capacity to peak in decisive fixtures, particularly cups and European
ties. High-scoring games often coincide with tactical transitions or
managerial change, while title-deciding derbies tend to be cagey, low-margin
affairs influenced by early goals and game-state control.
Key Stats & Performance Insights
The Derby della Madonnina stats underline how finely balanced the
rivalry remains despite Inter’s
slight historical edge.
- Inter hold more overall wins, but Milan remain competitive across
all competitions. - Serie A meetings account for the majority of fixtures and the
clearest statistical separation. - European derbies are perfectly balanced, reflecting shared
continental pedigree. - Recent decades show shorter dominance cycles, often tied to
tactical innovation.
Memorable Matches & Iconic Moments
Several fixtures stand out as defining chapters in the Derby della
Madonnina history.
- 11 May 2001 – Inter 0–6 AC Milan, Milan’s largest away
win. - 6 Nov 1949 – Inter 6–5 AC Milan, highest-scoring
derby. - 22 Apr 2024 – Inter defeat Milan to clinch the Serie A
title. - May 2003 – Champions League semi-final decided on away
goals. - Jan 2025 – Supercoppa comeback win for Milan in
Riyadh. - Sep 2023 – Inter’s 5–1 statement victory in Serie
A.
Evolution of the Rivalry
The AC
Milan Inter
Milan rivalry has evolved from local social division into a global
showcase of Italian football identity. Tactical systems have shifted from
man-marking to pressing structures, while player profiles now emphasise
athletic versatility. Yet the emotional core remains unchanged: every Derby
della Madonnina is judged not only by result, but by pride, narrative and its
lasting impact on the season.
FAQ
Who has the better head-to-head
record?
Inter
Milan
hold a narrow advantage in overall Derby della Madonnina head-to-head
wins.
What is the biggest win in the
derby?
AC
Milan’s 6–0 away victory in 2001 is the largest
margin.
Who is the top scorer in the
derby?
Andriy Shevchenko leads the scoring charts with 14
goals.
Have Milan
and Inter
met in Europe?
Yes, most notably in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and
quarter-finals.
Is the derby always played at San
Siro?
Most fixtures are, although Supercoppa matches are played
abroad.
Why is it called the Derby della
Madonnina?
The name references the Madonnina statue overlooking Milan.
Derby della Madonnina Head-to-Head | AC Milan vs Inter Milan History &
Stats