AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan: 5 hits and flops as Derby della Madonnina ends in stalemate | Serie A 2021-22

AC Milan and Inter Milan were both guilty of missing a few good chances.
AC Milan and Inter Milan were both guilty of missing a few good chances.

Hit: Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)

The Turkish talisman came back to haunt his former side.
The Turkish talisman came back to haunt his former side.

Inter Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu came up against AC Milan for the first time since leaving the latter this summer. He made a fine impression against Milan, with an excellent performance.

He got the Nerazzurri in front with a nonchalantly dispatched penalty in a hostile atmosphere. Calhanoglu then broke into an ear-cupped celebration right in front of the Milan fans.

The Turkish playmaker didn't look back thereafter. He gave the Rossoneri a nightmare with his line-breaking runs. He also drew five fouls, and fought hard for the ball in midfield.


Flop: Fode Ballo-Toure (AC Milan)

Ballo-Toure conceded Milan's second penalty of the night with a clumsy tackle on Matteo Darmian
Ballo-Toure conceded Milan's second penalty of the night with a clumsy tackle on Matteo Darmian

The absence of Theo Hernandez gave him a chance to start against Inter Milan. But suffice to say, Fode Ballo-Toure was nowhere near his compatriot in terms of impact.

The pace of Inter Milan's wide players seemed to unsettle him. In a desperate tackle on Matteo Darmian, Ballo-Toure conceded a penalty, which was saved by Tatarusanu, though.

Considering it was only his fourth league start in a Milan shirt, the 24-year-old can be excused. But the game showed that he's still rough around the edges, and must play more to gain match-confidence.

However, Ballo-Toure made a fine goalline clearance to deny Darmian in what was a small moment of salvation for him.


Hit: Matteo Darmian (Inter Milan)

Matteo Darmian shone bright for the Nerazzurri.
Matteo Darmian shone bright for the Nerazzurri.

Denzel Dumfries is an excellent option on the right, but Matteo Darmian showed why Simone Inzaghi prefers him over the Dutchman.

Darmian's defensive ridigity and infectious work rate helped the Nerazzurri cope with plenty of Milan's attacks. The Italian made two interceptions and three tackles on the night.

Matteo Darmian, as aforesaid, also won a penalty, drawing a foul from Ballo-Toure as he barged into the area. His position in the defensive phases of play was also mostly spot-on.

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