Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, left, scoring in the Serie A match against AC Milan at the San Siro Stadium at Milan in Italy on Sunday — AP MILAN, Oct 22 (AP): Mauro Icardi's stoppage-time header gave Inter Milan a 1-0 win over AC Milan in the city derby on Sunday but it could be left counting the cost of that victory after key midfielder Radja Nainggolan limped off in the first half.
Nainggolan hurt his ankle in a crunching tackle with Lucas Biglia in the first half. The Belgian midfielder will undergo tests on Monday but is now a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League match at Barcelona.
Forward Ivan Perisic went off in the second half, while midfielder Marcelo Brozovic could also miss the trip to Barcelona, with both players having right thigh injuries.
"I'm not worried because I have an important squad," Inter coach Luciano Spalletti said.
Inter has made a habit this season of scoring late goals and it did so for the fifth game this campaign when Icardi headed in Matias Vecino's cross, just as the match seemed certain to end goalless.
"You can't explain these feelings. I can only say it's utter joy. Winning like this, with my goal right at the end, it's really impossible to explain," Icardi said.
It was third-place Inter's seventh successive win in all matches and saw it cut the gap to leader Juventus to six points.
Milan had also come into the Derby della Madonnina on a hot streak, unbeaten in its previous eight matches.
"We took a step back in technical terms but we took a step forward mentally," Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso said.
In a game of few clear chances, both sides appeared lethargic at times - especially during the second half. Both teams did have a goal disallowed for offside while Stefan de Vrij hit the post for Inter.
Inter had the better opportunities and Matteo Politano's effort was deflected narrowly past the upright while Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma did well to palm Perisic's header around his left post.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
