Inter’s advantage at the top now sits at seven points, putting real pressure back on the leaders and giving Milan a path back into the serie a chase. As of Sunday at 5: 42 p. m. ET, a derby at San Siro settled by Pervis Estupinan has turned the run-in into a contest again.
Milan’s 60 Points Cut Inter’s Lead to Seven in Serie A
The immediate effect is on the table: Milan climb to 60 points and close within 7 of Inter, a swing that reopens the title discussion with weeks still to play. The result also halts Inter’s league momentum, ending an 8-match winning streak in Serie A that had tightened their grip on first place.
Inter Without Lautaro and Thuram Leaves Chivu Leaning on Bonny–Esposito
The 1-0 win mirrored the reverse fixture by the same score, with Estupinan deciding this one on 35 minutes. Inter manager Cristian Chivu went into the derby without both first-choice strikers: Marcus Thuram was a late scratch and Lautaro Martinez was only on the bench, present for the group but not recovered. It was the first time in roughly a year—since May 2025—that Inter lined up without both, pushing Chivu to start the in-game pairing of Bonny and Esposito.
Estupinan’s 35th-Minute Strike at San Siro Shapes the Derby
Key moments stacked up around Estupinan’s finish. Referee Daniele Doveri drew the spotlight when he declined a review after an incident involving Ricci’s extended arm, prompting on-field protests from members of Inter’s staff. During a stretch of consecutive corners, Inter briefly celebrated a finish by Chivu’s side, but Doveri had already stopped play, and the action was brought back.
Chances followed at both ends. For Inter, a sequence sparked by Nicolò Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan teed up Federico Dimarco, who blasted over a virtual tap-in. Milan threatened in transition more than once, with Christian Pulisic releasing Rafael Leao on a counter that ended just wide. Mike Maignan handled a left-foot effort in two grabs, and Milan’s back line—anchored by Tomori and company—absorbed the late pressure.
Discipline and attrition added layers. Alessandro Bastoni was the first booked of the night before later being withdrawn, with Carlos Augusto taking his place. Barella also exited, replaced by Davide Frattesi, as Chivu shuffled his midfield. Denzel Dumfries received a yellow for a clear pull on Pavlovic, while a caution to a French player—already a booking away from suspension—means a ban for the upcoming match against Lazio. Those rotations forced Inter into at least two significant in-game changes as Milan protected the narrow margin.
Off the pitch, the temperature matched the stakes. Bastoni was whistled by Milan fans virtually every touch, amplifying the derby edge. Gerry Cardinale, the club’s owner, returned to San Siro after roughly 18 months and had visited Milanello a day earlier to lift the squad. Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso was also in the stands. Before kickoff, alpine stars Federica Brignone and Dominik Paris were honored on the field, with Brignone celebrated for two Olympic golds won only weeks ago—another note on a packed night at the stadium.
Milan’s win trims the margin but leaves Inter ahead in serie a with a cushion that still matters. The disciplinary confirmation for the French player’s suspension is expected before the Lazio fixture; kickoff details were unconfirmed as of 5: 42 p. m. ET. If Inter remain without either Lautaro or Thuram in the next round, the seven-point cushion could face renewed strain immediately.
