Milan revive 1949 derby memory after rapid-fire start against Inter

Milan made a remarkable start to Saturday’s Serie A meeting with Inter, scoring twice inside the opening 10 minutes and recreating a scenario not seen in the Milan derby for more than seven decades.

Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock in the fourth minute before Adrien Rabiot doubled Milan’s advantage six minutes later. Inter were suddenly two goals behind before the match had properly settled.

The early setback was particularly unusual in the context of Inter’s recent Serie A record. According to statistics published by MisterChip on X: “Inter had not been two goals behind against an opponent in Serie A during the first 10 minutes since 2 December 2016, when they lost 3-0 to Napoli.”

The previous occurrence in the Derby della Madonnina dates back to 6 November 1949. On that occasion, Enrico Candiani scored twice for Milan in the first and seventh minutes, putting Inter in a similarly difficult position.

That match, however, developed into one of the most extraordinary contests in the history of the rivalry. Inter turned the game around and eventually won 6-5, producing a dramatic response after Milan’s fast start.

Inter again showed signs of mounting a comeback in the latest derby when Alessandro Bastoni reduced the deficit in the 22nd minute, scoring his side’s first goal.

Milan restored their two-goal advantage just before half-time. Diego Moreira scored in the 43rd minute, leaving Milan 3-1 ahead at the interval.