Serie A: Inter Milan pips AC Milan 1-0 in derby clash as Lautaro strikes

Inter remains second in the standings with 43 points, 13 behind runaway leader Napoli. Milan, who has now lost four games in a row in all competitions, dropped to sixth, on 38 points.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez celebrates after scoring the team’s winning goal in the Serie A derby against AC Milan at San Siro in Milan on February 5, 2023.

A first-half header by striker Lautaro Martinez gave Inter Milan a 1-0 victory over local rival AC Milan at a sold-out San Siro on Sunday, condemning Stefano Pioli’s side to its third consecutive loss in Serie A.

Inter remains second in the standings with 43 points, 13 behind runaway leader Napoli. Milan, who has now lost four games in a row in all competitions, dropped to sixth, on 38 points.

The unmarked Lautaro produced Inter’s first serious threat in the sixth minute but Milan keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu saved his header from going inside the left-hand post.

The Argentine striker gave Inter the lead in the 34th minute when he nodded in a corner from close range for his 12th goal this season.

Inter dominated the first half with 76% of possession and prevented Milan from any attempt at goal, but it lost some of its intensity after halftime.

Milan responded with its first shot just before the hour mark but a mid-range header by striker Olivier Giroud went over the crossbar.

It followed up with close chances by substitute Brahim Diaz, whose shot was stopped by Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, and another opportunity by Giroud whose free kick went wide.

Inter then had the ball inside the net twice but striker Romelu Lukaku was denied a goal for a foul, while Lautaro’s strike was ruled out for offside.

Lukaku had one more chance to double Inter’s advantage in stoppage time when he fired a shot from the edge of the box but Tatarusanu made a superb save to keep it out.

In the next round of games, Milan hosts Torino on Friday, while Inter travels to Sampdoria on February 13.

Earlier on Sunday, Torino beat Udinese 1-0 to overtake it in the standings and move to seventh on 30 points. Bologna, in ninth, beat 12th-placed Fiorentina 2-1.

Fourth-placed Lazio, on 38 points, travels to Verona on Monday while Juventus visits Salernitana on Tuesday.