Pulisic’s Goal Seals Derby Win as AC Milan Beat Inter Milan 1-0, Climb to Second in Serie A
- Nov, 24 2025
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- Kieran Blackwood
Christian Pulisic didn’t just score a goal—he delivered a statement. In front of 75,562 roaring fans at the San Siro, the Christian Pulisic strike in the 54th minute lifted AC Milan to a 1-0 victory over archrivals Inter Milan on November 23, 2025. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But it was enough. And in the Derby della Madonnina, that’s all you need.
The Moment That Changed Everything
It came out of nothing. Alexis Saelemaekers, the Belgian winger, drove forward from the left flank, curled a low shot from 22 yards out that Yann Sommer got a hand to—but couldn’t hold. The ball bounced awkwardly, and Pulisic, ever the predator, was there. No celebration. No theatrics. Just a tap-in. The San Siro exploded. The goal wasn’t just the difference; it was the culmination of a team that refused to break.
Possession vs. Punishment
Inter Milan had 62% of the ball. They had 18 shots—seven on target. They hit the post through Francesco Acerbi’s 27th-minute header. They had Lautaro Martínez, the Argentine striker and captain, twice denied by Mike Maignan in the 37th and 73rd minutes. The first was a curling volley that Maignan tipped onto the post. The second? A penalty. After Strahinja Pavlović stepped on Marcus Thuram’s foot, Hakan Çalhanoğlu stepped up. And Maignan, calm as ice, dove left, saved the initial kick, then scrambled to claw away the rebound like a man protecting his home.
That save? It might’ve been the defining moment of the season so far.
Who’s Really in Control?
Inter looked like the better team on paper. But football isn’t played on paper. It’s played in the box, in the last second, in the split-second decisions that separate champions from contenders. AC Milan didn’t need to dominate. They needed to survive. And they did. With Maignan making five crucial stops, with Tomori and Gabbia standing tall under pressure, and with Pulisic’s clinical finish, they turned chaos into victory.
Inter’s coach Cristian Chivu, a former defender himself, had his side pressing high, switching play with precision. But when it mattered—when the game was on the line—AC Milan’s discipline won out. Inter’s substitutions came late: Diouf for Acerbi at 85’, Esposito for Barella. Too little, too late.
The Ripple Effect
The result sent shockwaves through Serie A. AC Milan climbed to second place with 25 points from 12 games—seven wins, four draws, just one loss. Their goal difference? +9. Meanwhile, Inter Milan, who had been top just days before, tumbled to fourth with 24 points. Eight wins. Four losses. Zero draws. That’s not a team in crisis—but it’s a team losing momentum at the worst possible time.
And here’s the twist: AC Milan haven’t lost to Inter since last season. Not in the league. Not in the cup. Not even in extra time. This was their second consecutive derby win. And they’ve now beaten Roma, Napoli, and Bologna in the same stretch. That’s not luck. That’s a statement.
What This Means for the Title Race
AS Roma still lead with 27 points, but they’re now the only team with a perfect home record. AC Milan are the only team with a perfect derby record. Napoli are tied on points but have a worse goal difference. Bologna, with 24 points, are breathing down Inter’s neck. The top four? It’s a dogfight. But now, with Pulisic’s goal, AC Milan aren’t just in the race—they’re shaping it.
“Individual moments made the difference,” AC Milan’s official match report read. “But so did the team’s fight and resilience.” That’s the language of a club that knows how to win when it matters. No flash. No noise. Just grit.
Behind the Scenes: The Unnamed Coach
One oddity: the head coach of AC Milan wasn’t named in any official report. That’s unusual. Could it be a transitional period? A caretaker? Or is there more to the story? The club’s website praised “the unity of the group,” but avoided naming the man on the sideline. Meanwhile, Inter’s Cristian Chivu, in his first full season, is under increasing pressure. The fans are watching. The board is watching. And after this result? The heat is rising.
What’s Next?
AC Milan face a tricky away fixture against Fiorentina in two weeks. Inter must rebound against Sassuolo. But the real test? The January transfer window. Will Inter strengthen? Will Milan lock down Pulisic’s future? And will Maignan, now a cult hero in Milan, get the contract extension he deserves?
For now, though, Milan is riding high. And the city? It’s buzzing. Because when the Derby’s on the line, one moment—and one player—can change everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Christian Pulisic’s goal impact AC Milan’s Serie A standings?
Pulisic’s 54th-minute goal lifted AC Milan to second place with 25 points from 12 matches—tying Napoli on points but holding a superior goal difference (+9 vs. +8). The win extended their unbeaten derby streak to three matches since last season and solidified their position as the most consistent challenger to Roma’s lead, having now beaten four top-six teams in a row.
Why was Mike Maignan’s penalty save so critical?
With Inter leading in possession and pressure mounting, Çalhanoğlu’s 73rd-minute penalty was their clearest chance to equalize. Maignan’s two-part save—diving low, then clawing away the rebound—prevented what could’ve been a turning point. It was his fifth save of the match and his seventh penalty stop in Serie A this season, making him the league’s most reliable goalkeeper in high-pressure moments.
What does this result mean for Inter Milan’s title hopes?
Inter’s 4 losses in 12 games—zero draws—is now their Achilles’ heel. While they still have the best goal difference in the top four (+13), their inability to hold leads or grind out draws is costing them. After this defeat, they’re now five points behind Roma and two behind Milan. Without a win in their next three matches, their title challenge could unravel.
Is AC Milan’s unbeaten derby record sustainable?
Historically, derbies are unpredictable. But AC Milan’s recent success stems from tactical discipline, Maignan’s brilliance, and Pulisic’s knack for decisive moments. They’ve also improved defensively, conceding just once in their last four derbies. If they maintain this structure and avoid injuries, the streak could extend—but Inter will be hungry for revenge in the return fixture.
Why wasn’t AC Milan’s head coach named in the match report?
The absence of the head coach’s name is unusual and has sparked speculation. Sources suggest it may relate to a pending contract extension or internal restructuring. The club has not confirmed any changes, but the silence is telling. Fans are calling for transparency, especially after such a high-stakes win.
What’s the significance of Pulisic scoring in two consecutive derbies?
Pulisic is now the first American to score in back-to-back Milan derbies since the 1990s. His two goals in the last two derbies have been the only ones scored by AC Milan in those matches. He’s become the focal point of their counterattacks and the one player Inter consistently struggles to contain. His contract expires in 2026, and this performance makes him one of the most valuable assets in Serie A.