MILAN – A second-half stunner from Fredy Guarin made it nine points in three games for Inter as Roberto Mancini's side claimed victory in the 163rd Serie A Milan Derby at a San Siro packed to the rafters (79,154).
The match began at breakneck speed and within three minutes Luiz Adriano was slipped in behind by Carlos Bacca, only for Samir Handanovic to dart off his line and block the Brazilian's finish.
Stevan Jovetic fired an early effort wide as he looked to get on the score sheet for the third game running, and indeed the No.10 was at the heart of many of Inter's moves, but first Guarin and then Mauro Icardi couldn't find the space they needed to really hurt the Rossoneri.
Keisuke Honda and Mattia De Sciglio both tried their luck with long-range strikes but it was Jovetic who brought the San Siro faithful to their feet when he fizzed a venomous strike just wide with the interval approaching.
In first-half stoppage time the Montenegrin created Inter's best chance of the half playing Icardi clean through on goal, but Diego Lopez managed to get a foot to it to send the teams into the dressing rooms with the scores still goalless.
Five minutes after the restart a poor clearance by Diego Lopez offered Jovetic the opportunity to bear down on goal and shoot, but Cristian Zapata and Alessio Romagnoli combined to make the block.
Down the other end Riccardo Montolivo failed to trouble Handanovic with a shot from way out as Milan attempted to crank up the pressure.
Inter threatened once again when Ivan Perisic floated one over to Guarin at the far post, Diego Lopez scrambling to claw it over. Jovetic swung in the resulting corner and the Guarin was again on the end of it but this time headed over.
It was to be a case of third time lucky for Fredy, though. Collecting the ball in midfield, he drove forwards powerfully before unleashing a brilliant curling effort into the far corner past Diego Lopez. The San Siro erupted.
Sinisa Mihajlovic took immediate action and threw Mario Balotelli into the fray, while soon after Mancini was forced to replace Juan Jesus due to injury, Alex Telles coming on for his debut.
Jovetic was still working his magic and he picked out Davide Santon with a fine ball, which the full-back whipped in towards Icardi at the near post but the Argentine's low diving header finished high.
Rodrigo Palacio made his entrance in the 71st minute as the Rossoneri continued to probe for an equaliser. Substitute Balotelli shaved the outside of the post with a vicious 25-yarder on 77 minutes then four minutes later drew an excellent save out of Handanovic with a dipping free kick.
Inter made further forays forward of their own on the counter through Telles and Palacio, while Milan threw all caution to the wind by bringing on Alessio Cerci and Mancini's last change was Andrea Ranocchia for Perisic.
The Nerazzurri stood firm against AC Milan's final onslaught and when Gary Medel headed away Balotelli's 95th-minute free kick Inter could celebrate derby victory.
Inter 1-0 AC Milan (HT 0-0)
Scorer: Guarin 58.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon, 17 Medel, 24 Murillo, 5 Juan Jesus (12 Telles, 66); 13 Guarin, 83 Felipe Melo, 7 Kondogbia; 44 Perisic (23 Ranocchia, 83); 9 Icardi, 10 Jovetic (8 Palacio, 71).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 11 Biabiany, 14 Montoya, 22 Ljajic, 27 Gnoukouri, 33 D'Ambrosio, 55 Nagatomo, 77 Brozovic, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
AC Milan: 1 Diego Lopez; 20 Abate, 17 Zapata, 13 Romagnoli, 2 De Sciglio; 27 Kucka (16 Poli, 71), 18 Montolivo, 28 Bonaventura; 10 Honda (11 Cerci, 80); 9 Luiz Adriano, 70 Bacca (45 Balotelli, 60).
Subs not used: 32 Abbiati, 99 Donnarumma, 5 Mexes, 8 Suso, 15 Ely, 23 Nocerino, 33 Alex, 34 De Jong, 96 Calabria.
Coach: Sinisa Mihajlovic.
Booked: Abate 21, Juan Jesus 36, Honda 41, Felipe Melo 62, Kucka 65.
Added time: 1+5 minutes.
Referee: Rocchi.
Assistants: Giallatini, Padovan.
Fourth official: Di Fiore.
Additional assistants: Orsato, Valeri.
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