Time Machine, special episode: The first derby after the greatest derby ever. In the 2001/02 season, AC Milan and Inter faced off in October, but it still felt like May. At least in the memories, because even if the mind is focused on the present of a new and different season, it’s impossible to forget what happened that night at San Siro: six-nil. In the meantime, many things have changed, including the coaches (Terim and Cúper) and the teams, as well as the ambitions, with both sides determined to compete at the top. The Rossoneri, for instance, bolstered their squad in the summer transfer window by bringing in Pirlo from their “cousins” and Inzaghi.
The Rossoneri didn’t kick off the season at full throttle. The derby came after a defeat to Perugia and a home draw with Venezia. The Nerazzurri, playing at home, were leading the league, though the points gap was narrow, making the seventh matchday a crucial test. The start and first half went to the opposition, with Ventola opening the scoring in the thirteenth minute. At the beginning of the second half, the unexpected substitution of Contra replacing Albertini changed the game. AC Milan began to dominate, spurred on by Shevchenko, known for his Derby prowess, who headed in the equaliser around the hour mark. This was just the beginning of a storming spell that, in just over fifteen minutes, astonishingly saw the scoreline swing to 4-1. The turnaround was initiated by a thunderous left-footed strike from Contra into the top corner, followed by Inzaghi scoring the third goal with a superb assist from an on-fire Cosmin. The fourth goal came from Sheva, completing his brace with an assist from Serginho, mirroring their combination from May.
Kallon’s late consolation goal made the final score at 4-2, echoing the unforgettable 6-0 from not long before and adding another chapter to the Milan derby history. However, Terim’s stint as manager only lasted another month, as the team’s inconsistent performances led to his dismissal. Ancelotti took the helm and, despite challenges, managed to steady the ship. By the end of the season, AC Milan had secured a fourth-place finish in Serie A, qualifying for the Champions League and ushering in a golden era for the club.
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