Saturday’s Milan derby did anything but disappoint as AC Milan defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in an incredibly entertaining game. Olivier Giroud netted two late goals for the Rossoneri to stage a dramatic comeback. The biggest hero of the game might have been goalkeeper Mike Maignan who had several brilliant saves.
Maignan’s finest hour came in the first half when he momentarily halted an Inter counterattack with a slide tackle 20 yards out of his goal. With the ball at his feet Maignan then had the audacity to attempt to chop the ball past both attackers.
I love this so much.
Maignan Madness
nah Maignan is crazy pic.twitter.com/HkcQmCytch
— Weezy™ (@B4NKAl) February 5, 2022
MIKE MAIGNAN. AGAIN. AGAIN. AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/uDypnPV1dE
— Tribun Milano (@Info4_Milanisti) February 5, 2022
Milan Derby Highlights
The French goalkeeper was busy throughout the entire first half. He made several key saves as AC Milan looked sloppy and disjointed through 45 minutes.
His defense let him down in the 38th minute when Ivan Perisic was completely unmarked during an Inter corner and calmly stroked his shot into the corner of the net.
IVAN PERIŠIĆ WITH A BEAUTIFUL FINISH.
INTER STRIKE FIRST IN THE DERBY DELLA MADONNINA. pic.twitter.com/8TStgLjgje— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 5, 2022
The second half was a completely different story for the Rossoneri as Inter’s grip on the game began to fade. Milan knocked on Inter’s door in the San Siro and finally made the breakthrough in the 75th minute through Giroud.
Giroud set up the entire goal with a hefty challenge on his former Arsenal comrade Alexis Sanchez. After putting the Chilean in a metaphorical body bag Giroud raced down half the length of the field to tap in the equalizer.
OLIVIER GIROUD SCORES HIS FIRST DERBY DELLA MADONNINA GOAL
AC MILAN ARE BACK IN IT pic.twitter.com/jpyzWI2JCe— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 5, 2022
Three minutes later he grabbed the lead with a delicious turn and finish to send San Siro into chaos.
TWICE AS NICE.
OLIVIER GIROUD WITH A SECOND HALF BRACE IN THE DERBY DELLA MADONINNA. ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/kMYwQSBpmL— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 5, 2022
When the full-time whistle blew a fan watching without any context would think Milan just won the Champions League.
MILAN WITH A COMEBACK WIN IN THE DERBY DELLA MADONINNA. ABSOLUTE SCENES. ⚫ pic.twitter.com/0xWdp4Mw4y
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 5, 2022
The Scudetto race is now razor thin with Saturday’s three points bringing Milan within one point of league leaders Inter.
AC Milan's Derby della Madonnina win pulls them to within 1 point of Inter.
The Scudetto race is on. pic.twitter.com/KvEH683iqw— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 5, 2022
What a game.