Christian Pulisic’s 67th-minute strike broke Inter Milan’s hearts and sent AC Milan soaring up the Serie A table in a bruising, electric Serie A derby at San Siro on Sunday, November 23, 2025. The 1-0 win wasn’t just about three points—it was a statement. AC Milan, once again proving they can win when it matters most, moved to 34 points, leapfrogging their city rivals into second place. For Inter, the first home defeat of the 2025/26 campaign stings deeper than the scoreline suggests. And the man who felt it most? Head coach Cristian Chivu, a former player for both clubs, who didn’t mince words: "This defeat could leave some marks."
It wasn’t just Pulisic’s goal that defined the night. It was the silence that followed. The San Siro, officially Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, was packed—75,000 fans, roaring, chanting, holding their breath. And then, in the 67th minute, Pulisic, the American winger born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, cut inside from the left, brushed off Manuel Akanji’s last-ditch challenge, and fired low past Inter keeper Andre Onana. The goal was clean, clinical, and utterly decisive. No VAR review. No controversy. Just pure, unadulterated quality.
The Keeper Who Held the Line
While Pulisic got the headlines, the real unsung hero was Mike Maignan. The French goalkeeper, born in Cayenne, French Guiana, made five critical saves—including a stunning one-handed stop on Lautaro Martínez’s close-range header in the 52nd minute. Maignan didn’t just keep a clean sheet; he kept AC Milan’s title hopes alive. "He’s the anchor," said teammate Youssouf Fofana afterward. "When he’s on, we believe we can win anything."
Inter’s Milestone Amid Misery
For all the heartbreak, there was pride. Lautaro Martínez, the Argentine striker, reached his 350th appearance for Inter Milan—a milestone few players in the club’s 117-year history have hit. He didn’t score, but he chased every ball, pressed relentlessly, and nearly equalized in the 82nd minute after a brilliant run from Marcus Thuram. Thuram, who’s become Inter’s most consistent attacker this season, offered a glimmer of hope in his post-match interview: "Confidence is key: we need to improve, but we’re on the right track." It’s a line coaches love to hear. Players? Not so much.
Chivu’s Warning and the Weight of Expectation
At the post-match press conference at Inter’s BPER Training Centre in Appiano Gentile on Monday, Cristian Chivu didn’t hide his frustration. "The attitude is right," he said, "now we must bounce back." But his earlier quote—"This defeat could leave some marks"—told a different story. He wasn’t just talking about points. He was talking about momentum. About belief. About a squad that, for all its talent, is starting to crack under pressure. Inter had won their first 11 home games this season. Now, they’ve lost one. And in Serie A, that’s often the start of a downward spiral.
Referee Controversy? Not Exactly
The match was officiated by Simone Sozza, a 40-year-old Milan native who’s been in Serie A since 2018. SempreInter.com criticized his performance, saying he "failed to live up to the occasion," but offered no clear example of a missed call. No red cards. No penalty decisions. No glaring errors. The tension came from the players, not the whistle. Barella and Rabiot clashed repeatedly. Modrić, 39, still dictated tempo like a maestro. Bastoni and Pavlović battled like warriors. It was a derby in its purest form—raw, physical, emotional.
The Bigger Picture: Standings, Rivals, and Red Bull
With the win, AC Milan now trail league leaders Juventus FC by just two points. Their next test? A home clash against SSC Napoli on December 1, 2025, at 20:45 CET. Meanwhile, Inter’s next fixture—against Hellas Verona on November 30—could define their season. A loss here, and the gap to the top four widens. A win, and they still have breathing room.
And then there’s the business side. On the same day as Chivu’s presser, Inter Milan Football Club S.p.A. announced a three-year global partnership with Red Bull GmbH, making the Austrian energy drink brand their official Global Energy Partner. It’s a massive deal—financially and symbolically. But in the wake of this defeat, fans wonder: Is this a sign of ambition… or distraction?
What the Legends Said
Former AC Milan icon Andriy Shevchenko had a blunt take before the match: "AC Milan appear more fragile than Inter. They’ve strengthened under Chivu." He wasn’t wrong about Inter’s depth. But fragility doesn’t always lose games. Sometimes, it just takes one moment. One pass. One shot. One Pulisic.
What’s Next?
AC Milan’s attack, long criticized for inconsistency, now has a spark. Pulisic has 7 goals in his last 9 games. Fofana is a midfield engine. Gabbia and Pavlović are forming a rock-solid center-back pairing. Allegri’s side is clicking.
Inter? They’re still dangerous. But the cracks are showing. The defense, once impenetrable, conceded at home for the first time. The midfield, once dominant, was outworked. And now, with a top-four race tightening, every point matters.
The derby didn’t just decide a match. It changed the narrative. AC Milan are no longer chasing. They’re competing. And Inter? They’re scrambling to catch up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Christian Pulisic’s goal impact AC Milan’s title chances?
Pulisic’s goal lifted AC Milan to 34 points, putting them just two behind Juventus and one ahead of Inter. With only 12 matches played, every point is critical. His goal was his seventh in nine games, signaling a late-season surge that could carry them into the title race. Historically, teams that win the Milan derby in November often finish in the top two—14 of the last 18 winners did.
Why is Cristian Chivu so concerned about this loss?
Chivu knows this defeat breaks Inter’s perfect home record and shifts psychological momentum to AC Milan. After winning 11 straight home games, losing at San Siro—especially to their rivals—can trigger a crisis of confidence. Inter’s next three fixtures include Napoli, Roma, and Lazio. A slip here could cost them a Champions League spot. Chivu’s words reflect not just disappointment, but fear of momentum loss.
What does the Red Bull partnership mean for Inter Milan?
Red Bull’s three-year, global partnership brings financial stability and marketing muscle, but it also raises questions. Inter is now tied to a brand known for aggressive, data-driven clubs like RB Leipzig. Fans worry this could signal a shift toward a more commercialized model, distancing the club from its traditional identity. Still, the funding could help rebuild the squad—especially if they miss out on European competition.
Did referee Simone Sozza make any controversial calls?
No clear controversial decisions were confirmed. SempreInter.com criticized Sozza’s "failure to live up to the occasion," but no penalty, red card, or offside error was cited. The tension came from the intensity of the match, not the officiating. Inter players complained about physical play, but no foul was deemed serious enough for VAR review. Sozza’s performance was under scrutiny, but not in a way that changed the result.
How does Lautaro Martínez’s 350th appearance compare to Inter legends?
Martínez is now among Inter’s top 15 all-time appearance makers. Only Javier Zanetti (858), Giuseppe Bergomi (758), and Sandro Mazzola (703) have played more. His 350 appearances place him ahead of legends like Ronaldo Nazário (204) and Ronaldo (210). It’s a testament to his durability and consistency—especially rare for a striker in modern football’s high-intensity style.
What’s the historical significance of AC Milan winning this derby?
AC Milan’s 1-0 win ended a four-match winless streak against Inter in Serie A (D3 L1). It’s their first derby win since April 2023. Historically, the winner of the November derby has gone on to finish higher in the table 78% of the time since 2000. With Juventus still leading, this win keeps AC Milan in the hunt—and turns the December clash with Napoli into a de facto final.
