Inter won the Christmas derby 2-1 to take a seven-point lead over Roma into the winter break.Andrea Pirlo put AC Milan in front but Inter produced a strong fightback with goals from Argentine pair Julio Cruz and Esteban Cambiasso.
The first chance of the game went Inter’s way, an unmarked Ibrahimovic volleying over Maicon’s cross after four minutes.
Milan edged in front in the 18th when Andrea Pirlo found the top-left corner with one of his trademark curling free kicks.
Inter went close to an immediate reply, Jimenez shaving the crossbar from a tight angle after Dida palmed clear a Cruz cross.
Chivu then had a free kick saved by Dida as the Nerazzurri battled hard for a leveller.
It came in the 36th, with the Nerazzurri temporarily down to ten men after losing Samuel to injury.
Julio Cruz received in the area from Cambiass and shrugged off a challenge from Seedorf before rifling past Dida for his fifth goal in as many games and twelfth of the season.
Milan made a bright start to the second period and went close through substitute Gilardino whose header from Maldini’s cross finished just wide.
Cambiasso secured the points on 63 minutes. He won the ball after a headed clearance from Cruz’ left-wing centre and beat Dida with a right-footed drive from 20 yards.
The Nerazzurri survived a few scares in the closing stages. Julio Cesar denied Kaka with a brilliant save, Materazzi blocked a goalbound shot from Nesta, and Ambrosini just failed to connect with Serginho’s cross for what would have been a certain equaliser.
Inter 2-1 AC Milan (HT: 1-1)
Scorers: Pirlo 18, Cruz 36, Cambiasso 63.
Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel (23 Materazzi 37), 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 26 Chivu; 11 Jimenez (30 Pelé 80); 9 Cruz (29 Suazo 86), 8 Ibrahimovic.
Subs not used: 22 Orlandoni, 16 Burdisso, 18 Crespo, 31 Cesar.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
AC Milan: 1 Dida; 44 Oddo, 13 Nesta, 4 Kaladze, 3 Maldini; 8 Gattuso (5 Emerson 46), 21 Pirlo, 23 Ambrosini; 22 Kaka, 10 Seedorf (27 Serginho 58); 9 Inzaghi (11 Gilardino 46).
Subs not used: 16 Kalac, 2 Cafu, 25 Bonera, 32 Brocchi.
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.
Referee: Emidio Morganti (Ascoli Piceno).
Booked: Pirlo 11, Cordoba 16, Gattuso 23, Jimenez 38, Materazzi 39, Ambrosini 45, Cruz 52.
soure : inter.it
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