Milan 0-3 Inter: Player ratings as Nerazzurri hammer title rivals in Milan derby
Handanovic #Handanovic
Inter overcame rivals Milan in the derby della Madonnina to extend their lead at the top of Serie A to four points with an electrifying 3-0 win on Sunday afternoon.
I Nerazzurri drew first blood after five minutes when Lautaro Martinez rose highest to power home a brilliant header from an inch-perfect Romelu Lukaku cross. Antonio Conte’s men dominated the half, with Ivan Perisic forcing a smart save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, although Theo Hernandez went close for I Rossoneri.
Milan started the second half well and Samir Handanovic had to be at his best to produce three stunning saves in the space of a minute from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sandro Tonali. Inter punished Stefano Pioli’s men for missing those chances, executing a lightning counter-attack for Martinez to tuck away his second of the match only minutes later.
Inter wrapped up the three points in style on 66 minutes when Lukaku charged towards goal, beat his man and placed a powerful finish into Donnarumma’s near post, sparking huge celebrations on the Nerazzurri bench.
Let’s take a look at the player ratings from a one-sided derby at San Siro.
MILAN 1. Goalkeeper & Defenders 
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) – 6/10 – No hope of stopping Martinez’s header from such close proximity and with such potency. Kept his side in the game with a solid save to deny Lukaku. Little chance with any of the three goals.
Davide Calabria (RB) – 6/10 – Out of position for the second goal as Inter broke with incredible speed. Saw many of his crosses blocked while trying to find Ibrahimovic’s head.
Simon Kjaer (CB) – 6/10 – Did brilliantly to repel Lukaku’s initial cross but couldn’t get back into position quickly enough to mark Martinez. Had to tread carefully after earning a yellow card on 12 minutes. Caught out by the Argentine’s movement for the second.
Alessio Romagnoli (CB) – 5/10 – Nowhere to be seen while Lukaku was breaking down his side of the pitch for the opener, forcing Kjaer to cover. A little bit all over the place against this powerful strike partnership.
Theo Hernandez (LB) – 5/10 – Targeted as the defensive weak link, given his tendency to maraud up the wing. Almost equalised but his scuffed shot bobbled wide of the far post. Not alert enough defensively.
2. Midfielders 
Sandro Tonali (CM) – 5/10 – Fired a vicious strike at the Inter goal, forcing Handanovic to tip over the bar. Not on Barella’s level, but battled away regardless. Subbed.
Franck Kessie (CM) – 5/10 – Swept up any loose balls but was second best to Barella in the first half. Couldn’t get a foothold and had to watch the Italian zoom off into the distance time after time.
Hakan Calhanoglu (AM) – 6/10 – Curled some dangerous deliveries into the box, picking out his forwards with deadly accuracy. Always aiming to work some space to feed Ibrahimovic or Rebic.
3. Forwards 
Alexis Saelemaekers (RW) – 5/10 – Miles off the pace and heavily subdued by the defensive work of Perisic and Bastoni. Subbed after Inter got their third.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (ST) – 6/10 – First significant moment came in the second half, forcing an incredible double save from Handanovic. Could only applaud as rival Lukaku showed him how it’s done.
Ante Rebic (LW) – 5/10 – Couldn’t trouble the Inter backline. Did manage a couple of efforts at goal but to no avail.
4. Substitutes
Soualiho Meite (CM) – 6/10
Rafael Leao (LW) – 6/10
Samu Castillejo (RW) – 5/10
INTER 5. Goalkeeper & Defenders 
Samir Handanovic (GK) – 9/10 – WHAT A TRIPLE STOP! Produced two brilliant reaction saves to keep out Ibrahimovic’s headers, then tipped Tonali’s drive over the bar. A title defining display?
Milan Skriniar (CB) – 8/10 – Vital in Inter escaping Milan’s press, carrying the ball with authority and confidence out of defence and into midfield. Scrapped with Rebic and Ibra as the crosses began to rain down on the Inter box.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) – 8/10 – Silenced Ibrahimovic in the first half, stopping the Swede from making any progress in the penalty area. Stood up to the task, heading everything that came his way.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) – 8/10 – Not afraid to show his character in such a big match, even giving Ibra a little off-the-ball shove from a corner. Great intervention to deny Kessie a certain crack at goal.
6. Wing-Backs & Midfielders 
Achraf Hakimi (RWB) – 7/10 – Incredible run to burst over the halfway line and continue a lightning counter attack, resulting in Inter’s second. Dominant on that flank.
Nicolo Barella (CM) – 8/10 – Typically energetic and explosive, carrying the ball over halfway and charging down that inside right channel in search of Lukaku. One of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world – so complete.
Marcelo Brozovic (CM) – 7/10 – Instrumental in the first half, helping Inter play between the lines and picking out diagonal passes to get his side moving. Forced to defend more as Milan took control.
Christian Eriksen (CM) – 8/10 – Linked up beautifully with the front pair, playing neat one-twos and passing the ball into space for his forwards to chase. Played a key role in doubling the lead. Efficient, tidy and creative.
Ivan Perisic (LWB) – 8/10 – Defended with assurance and attacked with his usual intent, whipping some dangerous balls into the box which went unpunished. Intelligent cut-back to feed Martinez for the second. Got the assist for the third, too.
7. Forwards 
Lautaro Martinez (ST) – 8/10 – Bullet header to break the deadlock, positioning himself perfectly in space and making no mistake. Lovely movement to find space and tuck home the second goal. Relentless.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 9/10 – A winger’s delivery to supply Martinez for the opener, crossing with such delicacy and artistry. So good at everything. Neat touches and top link up play, bullish running and superb end product. One of the best strikers in the world. Encapsulated all his strengths in their third.
8. Substitutes 
Matteo Darmian (RWB) – 7/10
Roberto Gagliardini (CM) – 6/10
Alexis Sanchez (ST) – 6/10
Ashley Young (RWB) – 6/10
Arturo Vidal (CM) – N/A