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The second Derby Della Madonnina of the 2021-22 campaign produced an exhilarating contest between the two arch-rivals Inter and AC Milan. Milan secured a comeback win with two Olivier Giroud goals within three minutes of the second half.
Inter Milan took the lead in the 38th minute via Ivan Perisic's volley, with former Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu picking up an assist against his former employers.
The hosts dominated the proceedings for the majority of the game and looked set for a narrow win but Milan caught Inter on the break in the 75th minute and Giroud was in the right place at the right time to equalize. He added the second goal of the night after taking out Stefan de Vrij with a lovely flick.
As Milan reduce the gap at the top of the standings to one point, here we take a look at the five talking points from the game.
#5 AC Milan inflict first home defeat on Inter Milan
Milan became the first team to inflict a home defeat to Inter Milan in the Serie A this season. Incidentally they were also the last team to defeat them at home, with last season's game also ending in a 2-1 win for the Rossoneri.
The only other time Inter have lost at home this season was in their Champions League group stage fixture against Real Madrid in September.
After recording four back-to-back wins in Serie A between 2018 and 2020, they have now faced defeats in their last four league outings against their city rivals.
#4 Both clubs maintain a 100% goalscoring record in their home and away games respectively
The two Milan-based outfits have enjoyed great goal-scoring runs in Serie A this season. The reigning champions are the leading goal-scorers in the league with 54 goals at the moment. Second-placed Milan have 49 goals to their name.
Perisic's goal ensured that Inter Milan maintained a 100% goal-scoring record at home while Giroud's three-minute brace ensured that AC Milan find the back of the net in every single one of their away games in the league.
#3 Hakan Calhanoglu shines for Inter Milan against his former club
Inter Milan scored one goal each in both of their games against Milan this season. Former AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu was involved in both of these goals. He converted from the penalty spot when the two sides met in November and set up Perisic's goal in the 1-2 loss on Saturday night.
He was one of the best players for Inter in the game, maintaining a 94% pass accuracy. He also made three key passes before being substituted in the 73rd minute.
#2 Mike Maignan puts in a brilliant display for Milan
Inter Milan were in the driver's seat in the first half. There were moments when they could've easily scored another goal. But Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan kept a cool head as his side struggled against the determined and well-drilled hosts.
He made four saves and though Giroud stole the show with two goals in three minutes, it was his compatriot who kept Milan in the game during the first half.
He made three crucial saves to deny Marcelo Brozovic, Denzel Dumfries and Lautaro Martínez before the half-time whistle. He also made a remarkable slide tackle 20-yard out, displaying composure to chop the ball between two Inter attackers to stop and delay an impending attacking move.
#1 Olivier Giroud produces moments of brilliance to complete Milan's turnaround
Olivier Giroud chose the perfect game to return to goalscoring ways in the Italian top-flight to secure a win for his team. With the brace, he took his tally for the campaign to three goals in nine appearances.
He also became the first French player in the competition's history to score two or more goals against Inter in a league fixture.
He was lucky to be in the right place for the opening goal as the ball deflected from two Inter defenders to reach him.
He displayed finesse in his second goal, collecting Davide Calabria's through ball inside the box and smartly flicking the ball onto his preferred foot. He outwitted De Vrij before unleashing a shot past Samir Handanovic into the far corner.
