AC Milan 3-1 Inter: Diego Moreira inspires Rossoneri as Lazio go top of Serie A

AC Milan won the Derby della Madonnina for the third Serie A meeting in a row on Saturday, beating Inter 3-1 at San Siro. Belgium international Diego Moreira was the standout performer, scoring a superb free kick and providing the assists for goals by Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot. The defeat ended Inter's unbeaten start to the league season and allowed Lazio to move to the top of the table.

A fast start from Milan

Ruben Amorim's side were ahead inside four minutes. Moreira crossed from the left and Pulisic headed in to give Milan the lead.

Six minutes later it was 2-0. Moreira's low corner found Rabiot, whose deft finish clipped the far post on its way in.

Inter, coached by Cristian Chivu, responded in the 22nd minute. Hakan Calhanoglu swung in a corner, Manuel Akanji flicked it on, and Alessandro Bastoni headed in from close range. According to Opta, it was Bastoni's first goal in 20 derby appearances.

The visitors then had a strong spell. Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a sharp reaction save to deny Djed Spence soon after the goal, and Inter had a penalty awarded for a Mario Gila handball overturned after a VAR review showed Henrikh Mkhitaryan's cross had struck the defender's chest.

Moreira's moment

Just before half-time Moreira restored Milan's two-goal cushion, curling a left-footed free kick over the wall from around 25 yards. It was only the third direct free kick scored by a Milan player in a derby since Opta records began in 2004-05, following Andrea Pirlo in 2007 and Theo Hernandez in the 2025 Supercoppa Italiana.

The 22-year-old's display was all the more notable as he had missed Milan's 4-2 midweek defeat to Bologna through injury. Inter brought on Carlos Augusto at half-time to deal with him, and Augusto headed a chance wide early in the second half, but there was no further scoring.

Records and form

The win extended several streaks in Milan's favour:

• Milan have won three consecutive Serie A derbies for the first time since Carlo Ancelotti's side between 2002 and 2004.
• Across all competitions, Milan are unbeaten in eight games against Inter, with six wins and two draws.
• Rabiot has now scored or assisted in each of his last five Serie A matches, with four goals and two assists.

Serie A standings

Inter's first league defeat of the season leaves them second on 25 points from 10 games. Lazio, who have the same points total from one game fewer, lead on goal difference. Roma are third on 24 points, with Milan fourth on 21 and Como fifth on 20 from nine games.

The weekend's Serie A programme continues on Sunday, including Juventus against Napoli in Turin.

Key takeaways

• AC Milan beat Inter 3-1 at San Siro on Saturday, 31 October.
• Pulisic (4') and Rabiot (10') scored from Moreira deliveries; Moreira added a 43rd-minute free kick.
• Bastoni scored Inter's goal, his first in 20 derbies.
• Inter's unbeaten Serie A start is over and Lazio now lead on goal difference.
• Milan have won three straight league derbies for the first time since 2002-04.

FAQ

Who scored in AC Milan vs Inter? Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira scored for Milan. Alessandro Bastoni scored for Inter.

Who is top of Serie A after the Milan derby? Lazio lead on goal difference from Inter, with both on 25 points. Lazio have played one game fewer.

Who are the coaches of AC Milan and Inter? Ruben Amorim coaches AC Milan and Cristian Chivu coaches Inter.

Sources: AC Milan official website, Opta Analyst, ESPN