Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Thuram played key roles for Inter Milan in a 5-1 victory over fierce rivals Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. I Nerazzurri’s star players led their side to a flying start with two goals in the opening 38 minutes. Inter were made to sweat when an error from Matteo Darmian allowed Milan to pull one back before Mkhitaryan fired in a second. Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s late penalty and Davide Frattesi’s injury-time strike handed Inter a fourth consecutive Serie A win. Check out the Inter Milan player ratings below.
Inter Milan (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 6
Dealt with crosses into the box well. Sommer managed to get touch on Milan’s consolation goal but it was ultimately too fast for the stopper to keep out.
Matteo Darmian – 5.5
Warning signs came in the first half when Darmian allowed Theo Hernández to race into the area and fire just wide. Another lapse in judgement came in the second half when the defender let Rafael Leão get in behind to pull a goal back.
Francesco Acerbi – 6.5
Rarely came under pressure and managed any threat from Olivier Giroud well.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6.5
A solid performance with some crucial defensive interceptions in and around the Inter penalty area.
Denzel Dumfries – 7
Often provided support for Thuram wide on the right to stretch Milan’s defence. This paid off perfectly for I Nerazzurri’s second as Dumfries put his side on the front foot with a powerful run towards Milan’s penalty area.
Nicolo Barella – 6.5
Showed glimpses of creativity and dictation of play with the occasional through ball to set the attacking players on their way.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 7
Helped to disrupt Milan’s rhythm in midfield, although some mis-timed challenges brought unnecessary pressure on Inter’s defence on occasion. Çalhanoğlu provided a moment of quality by converting late on from the penalty spot.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 9
The experienced midfielder finished Inter’s first real chance of the derby from close range. Mkhitaryan showed his intelligence on several occasions to take up dangerous positions in the area to cause Milan’s defence issues and the midfielder was rewarded for his forward-thinking play with a well-taken second goal. The Armenian then sealed the man of the match award with a well-weighted through ball for Davide Frattesi.
Federico Dimarco – 7
His early cross-come shot fell perfectly for Mkhitaryan to lash in Inter’s opener. Dimarco proceeded to offer a serious threat from the left with several dangerous crosses in the box, one of which Thuram headed towards goal but the strike couldn’t convert.
Lautaro Martínez – 7.5
Struggled to impose himself on the game for 60 minutes. However, Martinez redeemed himself with an excellent show of composure to set up Inter’s third with a clever layoff to the onrushing Mkhitaryan and won the penalty for Inter’s fourth.
Marcus Thuram – 8.5
The key focal point for Inter’s direct attacking play, Thuram got his side into dangerous positions on several occasions. His persistence to win the ball on the right flank helped set up Inter’s first before his thumping strike from a tight angle for I Nerazzurri’s second capped a wonderful number nine display before he was substituted in the second half.
Substitutes
Davide Frattesi – 7.5
Showed some nice touches in the central areas to bring composure and showed great willingness to race on to Mkhitaryan’s pass and notch a fifth goal for his side.
Carlos Augusto – 6
Had little time to influence the match from the left wing-back position and rarely got forward in attack.
Marko Arnautović – 6.5
Provided some nice hold-up play to bring in the midfield players late on.
Stefan de Vrij – N/A
Kristjan Asllani – N/A