AC Milan claimed bragging rights in the first Derby della Madonnina of 2025-26, emerging victorious against Inter by one goal to nil.
The only goal of the game came early in the second half and Christian Pulisic scored again, after his two derby goals last season. Alexis Saelemaekers was the one who fired the initial shot and Yann Sommer tipped it into the path of the American, who tucked into a virtually empty net.
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The eventual 1-0 scoreline doesn’t tell the full story though, as Mike Maignan kept out a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty which was one of many decisive stops that he made, as reflected in our player ratings.
Inter vs. AC Milan: Newspaper player ratings
Speaking of ratings, La Gazzetta dello Sport have published theirs this morning. The team’s overall performance and Massimiliano Allegri’s management were both given a 7 out of 10. Maignan was the Man of the Match, getting an 8, while Strahinja Pavlovic got the lowest score (5.5) for giving the penalty away.
Pulisic was awarded a 7.5, as was Adrien Rabiot. Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers, Youssouf Fofana and Luka Modric all got a 7. Fikayo Tomori, Davide Bartesaghi and Rafael Leao got half a point less. Samuele Ricci (6) and Christopher Nkunku (5.5) didn’t make much impact off the bench.
🔢 The player ratings for #InterMilan from @Gazzetta_it.
🤔 Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/Fax3huJYbI
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) November 24, 2025
Corriere dello Sport gave Maignan an 8, Tomori a 6, Gabbia a 6.5, Pavlovic a 5.5, Saelemaekers a 6.5, Fofana a 6, Modric a 6.5, Rabiot a 6.5, Bartesaghi a 6, Pulisic a 7 and Leao a 6. The substitutes did not play long enough to be rated.
Maignan got an 8 from Tuttosport too, with Modric receiving a 7.5. Rabiot was given a 7, then Tomori, Gabbia, Saelemaekers and Pulisic were awarded half a mark less. Pavlovic, Bartesaghi and Leao got passing grades, and Fofana (5.5) was the only one who struggled.
I would love to see Puli in Fofana’s position and Santi or hopefully someone better in Janury paired with Leao… the midfield of Rabiot-Modric-Puli would control the game and make counter attacks way better
Pulisic in Fofana’s position?
If this isn’t some video game take i don’t know what is.
Lets move our best forward in midfield. Thats a genius idea 💡.
You can. Fire up Football Manager 2026 and you can watch that anytime you want.
With his incredible performance + high standard , maignan should have been given some additional salary & contract extension. At this moment, no one can replace him. Big pressure for The youngster GK Torriani
Mike Maignan played an amazing game. Three huge saves. Puli called it one of the best Keeper performances he has ever seen. Top marks for sure.
La Gazetta hits it about right with their ratings.
How Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport fail to highly rate Saelemaekers and Pulisic is baffling.
I agree with you about the ratings. It seems that if you don’t score goals or make saves in a game, the tabloids don’t give you high marks. There were so many players that did great jobs in support (Gabbia, Modric, Bartesaghi) that were rated below their play. I honestly believe that the ratings in the comments section are more accurate than those of the “professionals”.