Mauro Icardi scored a 92nd-minute winner as Inter Milan recorded a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the Milan derby at San Siro on Sunday night.
The Serie A clash appeared to be heading for a goalless draw, but Icardi had other ideas as the 25-year-old nodded past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in second-half stoppage time to break Milan hearts.
Luciano Spalletti's side had the better of the opportunities in the Serie A clash, and the win - Inter's seventh in a row in all competitions - has seen them move above Lazio into third position in the table.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Serie A coverage continues from the San Siro as Inter Milan face off with bitter rivals AC Milan. Inter have been victorious in each of their last four Serie A matches to move into third position in the table, and currently sit four points and eight positions above their bitter rivals Milan entering this match. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
Inter recorded a 3-2 win in the corresponding fixture last season, but they have only won one of the last six meetings between the two teams in all competitions. That said, Milan have not been victorious in the 'away league match' against Inter since November 2010.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the San Siro. Milan had a number of injury concerns ahead of the match, but Inter had almost a clean bill of health. Let's take a look at the two teams that will take to the field...
TEAMS!
INTER: Handanovic; Vrsaljko, De Vrij, Skriniar, Asamoah; Vecino, Brozovic; Politano, Nainggolan, Perisic; Icardi
MILAN: Donnarumma; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessie, Biglia, Bonaventura; Suso, Higuain, Calhanoglu
Inter's main injury concern ahead of the match involved midfielder Matias Vecino, who was forced to leave the Uruguay camp early after picking up a hamstring problem during the recent international break. Vecino starts tonight, however, and is joined by Marcelo Brozovic in the middle of the park. There are also starts for Stefan de Vrij and Matteo Politano, while Radja Nainggolan, Ivan Perisic and Mauro Icardi all feature in the final third of the field.
As for Milan, Gonzalo Higuain netted a brace in the win over Chievo before the international break to take his tally to six goals for the season, and is again be joined by Suso and Hakan Calhanoglu in the final third of the field. Patrick Cutrone and Samu Castillejo were both options for change ahead of the match, although a 4-3-3 formation once again sees Franck Kessie continue in central midfield alongside Lucas Biglia and Giacomo Bonaventura.
Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has struggled for consistency since arriving at Milan on loan during the summer, and is again left out. Alessio Romagnoli has shrugged off a muscular problem to start, however, and there is also a spot in the back four for Davide Calabria.
It would be fair to say that Inter are in a role having won each of their last six matches in all competitions. The run started with a 2-1 home success over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on September 18, and they have since beaten Sampdoria, Fiorentina, Cagliari, PSV Eindhoven and SPAL. Can Inter make it seven victories in a row tonight?
Inter's impressive form has seen them move occupy fourth position in the table entering this match. They have won five of their eight Serie A matches this season, drawing once and losing twice. Lazio moved above them by beating Parma this afternoon, but Inter would return to third spot with a win. It would also move them to within two points of second-placed Napoli.
Tonight is the start of a huge week for Inter as they prepare to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night, before travelling to Lazio in the league next weekend. Barcelona will be without a certain Lionel Messi for their European affair during the week, and another win for Inter tonight would leave them full of confidence heading to Camp Nou.
As for Milan, Gattuso's side sit down in 11th in the table on 12 points. They have only won three of their eight Serie A matches this season, but have lost just once, and are only four points off their rivals entering this match. Like Inter, Milan will also enter the match off the back of an impressive winning run, having collected maximum points in their last three fixtures.
Milan lost 3-2 in the corresponding league fixture last term, but have actually only been beaten in one of their last six meetings with Inter. That said, Milan have not been victorious in the away league match against Inter since November 2010. It will be a fascinating watch tonight.
Like Inter, Milan will also be in European action next week as they prepare to host Real Betis in the Europa League. Gattuso's side will then host Sampdoria in Serie A next weekend. You sense that something has to give in tonight's match, these matches are always event-filled.
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at San Siro. Can Inter stretch their winning run in all competitions to seven, or will Milan record their fourth straight success? No draw for me here, I fancy a winner. Stay tuned for live updates from Milan!
KICKOFF: Milan kick things off at San Siro...
... you do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this match. Milan have started the better, with Gattuso's side having a lot of the early possession.
SHOT! First half-chance of the match falls to Milan as Calabria breaks into a dangerous position, the ball eventually falls to Suso, and the Spaniard's effort is not too far wide of the post.
Inter have started to see more of the ball in the last few minutes, although not too much from the home side in the way of attacking intent. The noise inside the stadium is wonderful here.
Higuain does well to gather in a tight position before shifting the ball towards Suso, but Inter manage to close it out. Calhanoglu then whistles one wide of the post from distance.
Higuain has been heavily involved in the opening 10 minutes of this match, but not too much from Icardi down the other end. You do get the feeling that the first goal could be massive here.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Icardi has the ball in the back of the net for Inter, but the goal has been disallowed!
It is indeed the correct call. Icardi finished at the far post, but Vecino had flicked the ball towards the centre-forward, who was offside. Still goalless in this Milan derby.
Inter are on the front foot at the moment, and Milan just about survive as a Icardi cross is deflected behind by Musacchio. The resulting corner is then punched clear by Donnarumma.
This match is starting to hot-up as late challenges continue to arrive.
Inter are not best pleased as Nainggolan is chopped to the ground in the middle of the park. It was Biglia that made the challenge, and the number 21 is going to be booked here.
YELLOW CARD! Biglia (Milan) is booked for that challenge on Nainggolan.
It has been a strange last couple of minutes, with Biglia struggling to shake off an injury that he picked up in the clash with Nainggolan. Bakayoko might well enter the field here.
SAVE! Donnarumma makes a smart save to keep out a header from Perisic!
Inter are very much on the front foot at the moment as they continue to force the issue in the final third. Biglia, meanwhile, appears to have shaken off that injury, and Bakayoko has sat down.
Perisic is starting to become more and more involved for Inter, with the Croatian causing Milan problems in a wide position. Not too much for Higuain to feed off at the moment here.
Nainggolan signals that he is going to have to be replaced here. The Belgian is still struggling with the injury that he picked up in that challenge with Biglia, who now seems fine to continue.
INTER SUB! Valero replaces Nainggolan for the home side.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and we are still level. In truth, the match has been interrupted over the last 15 minutes or so by a series of late challenges. Clear chances have also been few and far between, but Inter have had the best of it here.
OFF THE POST! Easily the closest that either side has come as De Vrij meets a corner, and the centre-back's effort hits the post. Inter are the team knocking on the door at the moment.
Inter continue to find space in wide positions, and a low cross from Vrsaljko comes close to finding Icardi. Still goalless with little under 10 minutes of the first period to play here.
CLOSE! Politano strikes over the Milan crossbar from outside the box.
Another half-chance for Inter as Icardi breaks into the Milan box before striking towards goal, but Romagnoli is on hand to make a wonderful block. Excellent defending there!
DISALLOWED GOAL! Milan have the ball in the back of the net as Musacchio converts from close range, but once again the offside flag is raised. And once again it is the correct decision here.
CLOSE! Politano again strikes over the Milan crossbar from a promising position.
YELLOW CARD! Calhanoglu (Milan) is booked for a foul on Vrsaljko.
We are into the first of four additional minutes at the end of the first period.
Higuain has a strike blocked as Milan enjoy a strong spell in the latter stages of the first period. It has been a very good end to the opening 45 minutes, but we are still level here.
YELLOW CARD! Calabria (Milan) is booked for a foul on Icardi.
HALF TIME: INTER MILAN 0-0 AC MILAN
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both teams had the ball in the back of the net in the first half, but both were disallowed for offside. It has been a high-action first 45 minutes of football at San Siro. More of the same please!
STATISTICS! Inter shaded the first-half possession with 59%, while they had six attempts, four of which were on target. Milan, meanwhile, had five attempts, but failed to hit the target. Three yellow cards to report - all for Milan - with Biglia, Calhanoglu and Calabria in the book.
BENCH WATCH! Milan boss Gattuso has a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with the likes of Borini, Castillejo, Cutrone and Laxalt all capable of making a difference. As for Inter, Spalletti has options in the shape of Keita, Mario and Martinez. The home side have already been forced into a change, however, with Valero taking the place of the injured Nainggolan.
KICKOFF: Inter resume the action in this Milan derby...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
A point apiece would not be the worst result for either team to be honest, and it will be interesting to see how much they want it if the score remains 0-0 approaching the final 20 minutes or so. Not too much to report in the early stages of the second period here.
Perisic delivers high into the Milan box before taking on a shot moments later, but Milan manage to defend their lines. Inter are the team on the front foot at the moment here.
Milan cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Inter continue to dominate the ball. Milan stopper Donnarumma has not yet had a save to make in the second half, however.
No change to the pattern of the match as Inter continue to play all of the football here.
Donnarumma collects a cross from Perisic as Inter continue to make ground in wide position. Calhanoglu breaks down the other end moments later before delivering, but Higuain's shot is blocked, and Handanovic can collect. Nothing much happening at the moment here.
CHANCE! Big chance for Politano as the number 16 meets a cross from Vecino, but his effort is wide of the post. Donnarumma might well have been beaten at his far post there.
CLOSE! Suso heads harmlessly over the Inter crossbar from inside the penalty box.
YELLOW CARD! Suso (Milan) is booked for a foul on Asamoah.
Bonaventura has a strike blocked by De Vrij as Milan start to commit players forward.
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Inter have just delivered another free kick into the Milan box, but Higuain cleared.
CLOSE! Perisic has a strike deflected wide for a corner, before Brozovic misses the post with a strike from distance. Couple of attempts from the home side in quick succession.
Little over 20 minutes of the second period remaining, and we are still goalless here.
INTER SUB! Keita replaces Perisic for the home side.
Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and no sign of a goal here!
MILAN SUB! Cutrone replaces Calhanoglu for the away side.
YELLOW CARD! Politano (Inter) is booked for a foul on Bonaventura.
Another deep cross is whipped out of play. The overall quality has not been great tonight.
Pass, pass, pass from Inter as they look to work a route into the Milan penalty box.
Valero fires high and wide of the Milan crossbar from inside the box.
SAVE! Handanovic keeps out a low strike from Suso as Milan threaten here.
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining, and Milan have a free kick just outside the Inter box. This is a really good chance for the visitors to take the lead here...
... INTER SUB! Candreva replaces Politano for Inter.
Suso's free kick is deflected over the Inter crossbar.
MILAN SUB! Bakayoko replaces Kessie for Milan.
We are certainly entering the stage of the match where a goal would be a winner. Milan are actually on the front foot at the moment as they continue to commit players forward.
Pass, pass, pass from Inter as they work the ball outside the Milan penalty box.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the 90 here.
YELLOW CARD! Bakayoko (Milan) is booked for a foul on Vecino.
MILAN SUB! Bertolacci replaces Calabria for the away side.
GOAL! INTER MILAN 1-0 AC MILAN (ICARDI)
Oh my goodness me! They've won it at the death! Icardi sends Inter ahead in stoppage time as the Argentine heads a deep cross into the back of the net. Donnarumma appeared to lose the flight of the ball, and Icardi simply nodded into the back of the net. What a turn-up here!
FULL TIME: INTER MILAN 1-0 AC MILAN
Incredible finish to this match as Icardi scores at the death to secure all three points for Inter. What a turn-up at the San Siro once again. That is Inter's fifth straight league win. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live commentary once again. See you soon!
