Inter Milan’s midfield control in the Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan was the foundation of their dominance. Through tactical discipline, pressing intensity, and fluid transitions, Inter’s midfield trio dictated the tempo, stifled Milan’s playmakers, and orchestrated attacking moves with precision.

Key Aspects of Inter Milan’s Midfield Control

1. Tactical Shape & Compactness

• Inter set up with a three-man midfield, typically featuring Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Nicolò Barella, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, which provided a balance of defensive solidity and creative output.
• They maintained a compact structure, closing gaps between defense and attack, making it difficult for Milan to find space.
• The midfielders interchanged positions fluidly, ensuring continuous ball circulation and defensive coverage.

2. Dominance in Possession & Passing Accuracy

• Çalhanoğlu operated as a deep-lying playmaker, controlling possession and distributing precise long and short passes.
• Barella’s dynamism allowed him to shuttle between attack and defense, progressing the ball while pressing Milan’s midfielders.
• Mkhitaryan provided a creative link, frequently pushing forward to support attacking transitions.
• Inter’s high pass completion rate frustrated Milan’s attempts to regain control and forced them into deeper defensive positions.

3. Intelligent Pressing & Ball Recoveries

• Inter’s midfield engaged in aggressive pressing, winning duels in key areas to disrupt Milan’s buildup play.
• Marcelo Brozović (if deployed) or Çalhanoğlu dropped deeper to shield the defense and intercept passing lanes.
• This forced Milan into rushed decisions, leading to turnovers that Inter quickly exploited in transition.

4. Exploiting Wide Areas & Overlapping Support

• Inter’s midfielders frequently switched play to the wing-backs (Denzel Dumfries & Federico Dimarco), stretching Milan’s defense.
• Barella and Mkhitaryan supported wide overloads, creating passing triangles to break through Milan’s pressing lines.
• This facilitated quick attacking transitions, especially when releasing Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram in advanced areas.

5. Controlling the Tempo & Dictating Play

• When leading, Inter slowed the game down, maintaining possession to frustrate Milan.
• When needing a goal, they accelerated their transitions, with midfielders making incisive runs into the box.
• Their ability to switch between controlled possession and quick transitions kept Milan off balance throughout the match.