With all eyes from across Europe falling on the San Siro on Sunday night, Inter Milan claimed local bragging rights as they clinched a 1-0 victory against their struggling neighbours.
Continuing on what has been a hugely impressive domestic romp since returning from the World Cup s festive break, the Nerazzurri wrapped up all three points as Lautaro Martinez bagged the winner 10 minutes before the half-time break.
Suffering just a single defeat from any of their last 10 domestic matchups across all formats, Simone Inzaghi s men also pilled more pressure onto an AC Milan squad who are at the heart of a Serie A nightmare.
Lifting this year s Super Cup thanks to a famous 3-0 romp on January 18th, Inter s victory here means that their bitter local rivals have now lost each of their previous four domestic showdowns on the bounce.
In a battle between two Italian icons, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday s heavyweight affair at the San Siro.
Inter are cruising towards a top-four finish
While Inter Milan might have shown some mild issues before heading into the festive break, the Italian heavyweights have come roaring back in some style.
Putting in another rugged display here as they claimed Milano bragging rights, Simone Inzaghi s men are riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum over recent months.
While the ex-Lazio boss might know that his side needs a minor miracle if they re to catch a high-flying Napoli in 2023, the Nerazzurri are cruising their way towards another top-four finish.
Suffering just a single domestic defeat since a 2-0 defeat away at Juventus back on November 6th, Inter will also be excited by the Champions League return in a fortnights time.
With the mood in their camp now at a red-hot high, Inter Milan will open their knockout stage adventure when they welcome Portuguese icons Porto to the San Siro on February 22nd.
Showing plenty of defensive resolve since opening the New Year, Inzaghi s side certainly deserve plenty of plaudits.
Who can stop Martinez?
While many around the San Siro might have expected the returning Romelu Lukaku to spearhead Inter s charge this season, it has been Martinez who has stolen plenty of the plaudits.
With the Nerazzurri now knowing that they re sat in pole position to claim an automatic Champions League spot for next season, the Argentina international has played a crucial role.
Bagging the winner on Sunday night and receiving a string of plaudits, the 25-year-old is in the midst of another stellar free-scoring purple patch.
Arguably the first name on Inzaghi s teamsheet since returning from the World Cup s winter break, Martinez has now bagged seven strikes in his last eight appearances across all competitions.
Leading the chase to lift Inter s Golden Boot this season, the 46-cap international has also formed an eye-catching relationship alongside former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
With his stellar flurry highlighted by another strike in last month s Super Cup victory, Martinez is enjoying the best-scoring run in recent years.
AC s crisis continues
Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last week as they signed off January with a remarkable 5-2 loss at home against Sassuolo, AC Milan are at the heart of a domestic nightmare.
While the Rossoneri might have stunned many across Europe last season as they lifted their first Serie A crown since 2011, Stefano Pioli s men have come crashing back down to earth this time around.
With there now a huge amount of pressure on Pioli s shoulders, some sections of the AC fanbase are desperate to see a change in their dugout.
Freefalling their way down the Serie A standings, it now appears that the reigning Serie A champions are in an uphill struggle if they re to claim a much-needed top-four finish in 2023.
In fact, watching Inter lift this season s Super Cup thanks to that 3-0 romp in the Middle East last month, AC have now lost each of their last four domestic contests on the bounce by an aggregate score of 13-2.
Match Report
Inter Milan: Onana, Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni, Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Dzeko, Martinez
Subs: Gagliardini, Gosens, Asllani
AC Milan: Tatarusanu, Kalulu, Kjaer, Gabbia, Calabria, Messias, Krunic, Tonali, Hernandez, Origi, Giroud
Subs: Thiaw, Leao, Rebic, Diaz
Goals: Martinez (34 )
Yellow Cards: Inter Milan: Acerbi, Mkhitaryan AC Milan: Giroud, Gabbia, Kalulu, Leao, Rebic
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Davide Massa
