Inter Milan hosted Juventus for the second Derby d’Italia today on Valentines today. However, there was more hatred then love in the air as it only took eight minutes for Alessandro Bastoni to see a yellow card for Inter. This came as Juventus where on top for the first 5-10 minute phase of the game.

As the clock ticked over the game became more evenly balanced, which led to the first goal coming. Luis Henrique aimed to curl his shot past Andrea Cambiaso. Instead, it deflected off Cambiaso not giving Di Gregorio enough time to react before rolling into the net.

The goal would go down as an own goal for Cambiaso, but he managed to rectify his actions. It took Cambiaso only nine minutes to find an equaliser after a low cross from Pierre Kalulu was put into a practically empty net. With the scores level at one on one the game evened up for both teams with the ball.

This was until the 41st minute, when Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu was shown a second yellow card. It was for a foul in transition on Alessandro Bastoni, however some arguing, Kalulu included that Bastoni dived. Juventus looked to calm the stroms until half time before making any changes to replace Kalulu.

Juventus set up more defensively to start the second half due to being down to 10 men. They went into a 4-2-2-1 as Emil Holm came on the pitch to replace, Pierre Kalulu which saw Conciecao benched. Inter would pile on the pressure as Juventus sat back for most of the second half.

Inter would come close to scoring on multiple occasions, but they struggled to find a break. This was until Pio Espotio rose above the rest of the box to slot away a header in the 75th minute. The cross came from who else but Federico Dimarco to get himself another assist.

Juventus however, wouldn’t roll over for Inter as they looked to retake control of the game and save a draw. They went back on the attack and it wouldn’t take long for an equaliser with Manuel Locatelli sticking a low driven shot into the bottom left hand corner to tie the match.

Inter wouldn’t give up however, as they wanted a win at home to cement their title campaign. Piotr Zielinski would find the winner in the 91st minute from a low shot from the edge of the box. Juventus would push for another goal to equalise the game but would come up unsuccessful handing Inter all three points, in another Derby d’Italia classic.

AC Milan traveled to Pisa today to kickoff matchday 25 in Serie A. The Rossoneri looked to take care of an easy win against Pisa, before moving on to Como at home on Wednesday. However, the visitors would be no push over as the game started fairly even between both teams.

AC Milan had more of the ball, but the two sides had the similar amount of chances. It looked like Pisa might be able to get a smash and grab win at home. However, that thought became a dream, when Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored Milan’s first goal from a header in the 39th minute. This goal would be the only thing separating the two at the break however.

Despite, being ahead Massimiliano Allegri would make an attacking change at halftime for Milan. Christopher Nkunku would be bought off for Niclas Fullkrug. Fullkrug would manage two minutes after coming on, however the goal would be ruled out due to handball.

Fullkrug would have another chance to double Milan’s lead in the 55th minute, with a penalty. Milan won it when Stranjha Pavlovic was brought down from behind in the box. However, Fullkrug put the penalty just to the left of the post being unable to double Milan’s lead.

However, the second half wouldn’t be lopsided to Milan as Pisa would look for an equaliser. After putting pressure on Milan, they finally found a break in the 70th minute. Felipe Loyola would put away a tidy finish into the bottom right corner to give the homeside a chance for a point or more.

However, Milan would dash these hopes as Luka Modric would score off a 1-2 with from Samuele Ricci in the 84th minute. AC Milan would manage to hold on from their however, despite a late scare of going down to 10 men. Adrien Rabiot was sent of in added time, for a foul on the edge of Pisa’s box, which resulted in a poor free kick.

Player Ratings:

The Best:

Luka Modric – 7.5: Luka Modric managed to wind back the clock once again for AC Milan, as he had a stunning performance. He controlled the game for the full 90 minutes, which lead to him scoring the winner, creating the play he scored from with a Ricci assist.

Feleipe Loyola – 6.5: Feleipe Loyola was the key player for Pisa, as he covered the most ground in midfield. He was unlucky to concede the penalty which Fullkrug ultimately missed. However, he would write those wrongs with his goal.

Stranjha Pavlovic – 6.5: Stranjha Pavlovic was key from defence once again for AC Milan today. It is not only his defensive abilities which make him so valuable for Milan, but also his counter attacking nature, and how he is always pushing the ball up the pitch. This ultimately led him to winning the penalty for Milan today.

The Worst:

Niclas Fullkrug – 5: Niclas Fullkrug struggled after coming on at halftime, as his goal which was disallowed for his own handball would summarise his game. Fullkrug should have found the back of the net missing multiple chances for Milan including the penalty which was just poor.

Christoper Nkunku – 4.5: Nkunku struggled in the first half for the game for Milan as he failed to have a real impact. Most of Milan’s attack came from the midfield or the other striker Ruben Loftus-Cheek. This lead to him being bought off at halftime for Niclas Fullkrug.

Antonio Caracciolo – 4.5: Caracciolo might get thrown under the bus for a bad defensive performance for Pisa today as he was the worst. While they did make it difficult for Milan at times, for both goals the Rossoneri walked through them. Caracciolo needed to provide the pillar and the structure for Pisa as the captain and central centre back.

Pisa are set to host AC Milan on their return to Serie A. Today’s game will be the first time Pisa have hosted Milan in the league since 1991. In their last league meeting in Pisa, Milan managed a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Paolo Maldini. A similar result is likely on the cards with a 19th place Pisa and a 2nd place AC Milan.

However, Pisa managed to scrape a point in the reverse fixture in Milan. Two second half goals from Pisa had them set up to win but a Zachary Athekame would save a point for the hosts. A win today would be Pisa’s second and put them below Fiorentina on only goal difference.

But, Milan still need all three points if they want to keep up with Inter. The Rossoneri have an extended break coming into this game as there game against Como was delayed. Due to the San Siro being used for the Milan Cortina olympics, Milan had nowhere to play. However, this break isn’t exactly needed for a Milan team who haven’t lost a game this year.

Predicted Lineups

Pisa: 3-4-3

Simone Scuffet