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Estupinan scored 10 minutes before halftime, and Milan’s resolute defensive performance in the second half ensured Massimiliano Allegri’s side earned a crucial win.
AC Milan’s Pervis Estupinan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Inter Milan, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
AC Milan edged out local rivals Inter in a 1-0 win at the San Siro on Sunday to chomp down on the latter’s lead at the top of the Serie A table as Pervis Estupinan’s first-half goal proved to be the telling touch of the fixture.
A win for Inter could have extended their lead to 13 points with just 10 matches left in the season. However, Milan’s victory kept their title hopes alive and extended their unbeaten run against their city rivals to seven matches in all competitions.
Estupinan scored 10 minutes before halftime, and Milan’s resolute defensive performance in the second half ensured Massimiliano Allegri’s side earned a crucial win.
The Rossoneri, who have only suffered two league defeats this season, are vying for their first Scudetto since 2022 and only their second since 2011.
“They still have a seven-point lead and remain the favourites for the title—the championship will be decided from March onwards,” Allegri said after Milan’s first league double over Inter since he led them to the title during his first tenure 15 years ago.
Inter are still on course to reclaim the crown they lost to Napoli last season. Napoli, currently third and 11 points off the pace, have faced a series of injuries, leaving Inter with more work to do. Notably, neither Milan club has ever won Serie A in a season where they lost both derbies.
“It’s a well-deserved victory,” said veteran Milan midfielder Luka Modric. “I don’t know if we can say the championship is back on. For us, the title race was still open, and it’s even more so now.”
Inter coach Cristian Chivu fielded Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny up front in place of Marcus Thuram, who was ill. Captain Lautaro Martinez, sidelined with a calf injury, was on the bench to support his teammates.
Milan nearly took an early lead when Modric, watched by former teammates Sergio Ramos and Mario Mandzukic in the stands, narrowly missed after Christian Pulisic intercepted a loose pass from Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Inter’s first significant threat came in the 34th minute when Henrikh Mkhitaryan made a run from near halfway into the area but shot straight at Mike Maignan. Milan then quickly countered, resulting in Estupinan’s goal.
An excellent team move saw Youssouf Fofana play a perfect through ball to Estupinan, who scored his first goal for Milan since joining from Brighton last summer.
Inter missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the 54th minute when Mkhitaryan set up Federico Dimarco, but the wing-back shot over the crossbar. The league leaders continued to build momentum, with substitute Denzel Dumfries and Bonny coming close.
Inter dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances despite a series of late corners, allowing Milan to secure a crucial win and keep their Scudetto hopes alive.
Earlier, Roma fell out of the top four, replaced by Como after Vitinha’s late goal secured a 2-1 home win for Genoa against the capital club. Como, who have never played in Europe, took the final Champions League spot from Roma on goal difference. Juventus are a point further back in sixth place.
Roma will face Como, who earned their third consecutive league win by beating Cagliari on Saturday, in a crucial top-four battle next week.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
March 09, 2026, 09:28 IST
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