DERBY DOMINATION: PULISIC GOAL GIVES MILAN SECOND SPOT.
Christian Pulisic's 54th-minute goal sealed a crucial 1-0 Derby della Madonnina win for AC Milan over rivals Inter. The victory tightens the Serie A title race, moving Milan to 25 points, just behind Napoli in a tight table.
AC Milan clinched a win in the Derby della Madonnina, edging out Inter by one goal. Mike Maignan and Christian Pulisic were key players in the victory. Check out the player ratings below.
Christian Pulisic registered a goal in the 54th minute of the Derby della Madonnina. After Inter keeper Yann Sommer couldn't hold onto Alexis Saelemaekers’ shot from way out, Pulisic put the rebound in from point-blank range. It was a swift riposte, with Milan keeping the play alive until Pulisic was able to knock in the first goal.
Milan Goes Ahead
Pulisic's goal gave AC Milan a 1–0 win over Inter Milan. It was a great counterattack set up by Massimiliano Allegri's team. Youssouf Fofana made a key play in midfield, then passed to Alexis Saelemaekers on the right. Saelemaekers shot a rocket, and Sommer made a save, but Pulisic was there to finish it.
That's Pulisic’s seventh successful strike this season and his fifth in Serie A. He's been on a roll since coming back from injury.
Allegri's Tactic Proves Effective
Allegri went with a 3-5-2, putting Pulisic and Leão up front. Even though Internazionale controlled the start of the second half, it worked out. Before Pulisic scored, Milan faced significant pressure. Inter had been unlucky, with Francesco Acerbi and Lautaro Martínez both hitting the post in the first half. Mike Maignan also made a great save to deny Martínez.
The Rossoneri and the Nerazzurri are Ready for Season-Long Fight
This game could have significant implications for the Serie A title chase. AC Milan now has 25 points, just two behind Napoli. Inter is fourth with 24 points. It’s only their third league loss of the season.
The league table is tight, so this derby win could be huge in what's looking like a really tight title fight.
OFFICIAL MOVE: KENNETH TAYLOR JOINS LAZIO AS JURRIEN TIMBER SENDS A "BROSKI" FAREWELL
Kenneth Taylor joins Lazio for €16.9m while Arsenal secure their core stars. Latest on Marc Guehi’s potential Man City transfer.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber reached out to his old Ajax teammate Kenneth Taylor after Taylor’s move to Lazio became official.
These two have seen a lot together—over 100 games side by side, working their way up through the Ajax academy and into the senior squad. Timber left for Arsenal in the summer of 2023, but Taylor stayed on in Amsterdam, riding out some rough times.
Ajax had a tough run last season, losing the Eredivisie title in gut-wrenching fashion. Right now, they’re sitting third, but PSV is miles ahead—16 points, to be exact.
Taylor has played 19 times across all competitions this season, but that’s it for him at Ajax. Lazio swooped in and paid €16.9 million (£14.4 million) to bring him to Italy. Timber jumped on Instagram to send his support, replying to Ajax’s farewell post (which featured a photo of both players) with a simple “Good luck, broski [red heart emoji].”
Ajax didn’t let him go quietly, either. The club released a heartfelt statement, with Director of Football Marijn Beuker calling Taylor “a true Ajacied” who came up through the ranks, set a good example for younger players, and became a fixture in midfield. Beuker said, “Kenneth wants to take the next step in his career, and we’re happy to give him that chance. We’ve thanked him for everything and wished him all the best in Italy.”
As for Timber’s own future, Arsenal wants to keep him around—and Declan Rice too. That’s according to football. London. Arsenal already locked in Bukayo Saka until 2031, and new contracts for William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly are done deals.
The Times says Arsenal’s also got talks lined up for Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, David Raya, and Mikel Merino. Their contracts all run out in 2028, so that’s the next order of business—even in the January window, with no new signings expected after spending £250 million last summer.
One name on Arsenal’s radar is Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, but unless Manchester City grabs him this month, that move would wait until summer. Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitted things could change fast: “I’m not naive. If City comes in with a massive offer and Marc wants to go, it’ll happen. If we’re only thinking about football, everyone at the club would want Marc to stay. The chairman feels the same. But money matters too. There’s a point where the finances outweigh the sports side—if Marc wants to leave, the final call is his.”
MASTERCLASS: LAUTARO MARTINEZ AND ZIELINSKI DETAIL THE TACTICAL PLAN THAT DESTROYED BOLOGNA’S DEFENSE
Lautaro Martinez ignores a hand injury to lead Inter Milan to a 3-1 revenge win over Bologna. See the full tactical breakdown here.
Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski didn’t hide how much Inter’s tactical plan mattered in finally breaking their Bologna curse with that 3-1 win. “My hand hurts, but I’m heading home happy tonight,” Lautaro said with a grin.
So, Inter grabbed their fifth Serie A win in a row and held onto first place. But this one meant even more—they wanted to send a message after what happened last time against Bologna. Just a couple of weeks ago, Bologna knocked them out of the Supercoppa Italiana on penalties. And last season’s loss at the Stadio Dall’Ara? That stung, and it cost them in the title race.
Not tonight, though. Piotr Zielinski, Lautaro Martinez, and Marcus Thuram all found the net, and only a late goal from Santiago Castro gave Bologna anything to smile about.
Inter had been struggling with Bologna lately, no question.
Lautaro explained, “Before the game, we made a plan, and honestly, it worked perfectly. We pressed hard right after losing the ball, and Bologna couldn’t handle it. Our midfielders were right there on the second ball, which set up our chances. That’s how we got our goals.”
Lautaro’s on fire—six goals in his last five Serie A games. Still, the night started rough. Early on, someone stepped on his hand. Didn’t stop him, though.
“These three points mean a lot. My hand hurts, yeah, but I play through it and give everything for the team. That’s why I’m happy tonight.”
He also had a laugh, celebrating with Thuram after that odd goal—Thuram kind of bundled it in with his chest, barely knowing what hit him.
“We had one last sprint after that goal. I’m happy for him—he deserves it. Everyone’s working for the team, and we all want to take Inter as far as we can.”
Zielinski grabbed his second Serie A goal of the season—his third in all competitions—and he’s turning into a regular under Cristian Chivu.
“I’ve been feeling good for a while now, and I’m glad I can help the team,” Zielinski told DAZN Italia.
“Everything went well, except for that late goal. We were in control for most of it. That matters, especially given our recent problems against Bologna.”