The Derby Della Madonnina once represented one of the biggest fixtures in world football. A cross-city derby played out in the Milanese hotbed of the 'Stadio Giuseppe Meazza' was in recent memory, a fixture that had the whole world watching. Regardless of your affiliation to either club, (if you have one at all), you tuned in to watch some of the greats of world football battle it out.
A.C. and Inter Milan, two Goliath's in their own rights, both domestically and internationally, have been on somewhat of a downward slope in recent years. The rivalry between clubs has been prominous ever since their first meeting in 1908 (Chiasso Cup, Canton Ticino, Switzerland), in which A.C. won 2-1. Scudetto titles, Coppa Italia's and European cups have always been the pinnacle for either club in terms of what they can achieve when entering a new campaign at the beginning of each season.
With both clubs suffering on all fronts in recent years and with the halt of either side challenging for major honours, the goal of each club is now taken a very different road. Stability is now a key factor for Milan's fallen giants. Managerial merry-go-rounds, the lack of top quality talent along with the rise of Juventus and Roma have all combined in bringing a collapse to the credentials of both Milanese clubs.
A.C. Milan: have enjoyed the majority of success when compared to their close city rivals. Silvio Belusconi owned, Milan, are a household name and some of their teams of the past hold a place amongst the elite teams in Europe. Greats such as Marco Van Basten, Ronaldinho and Paolo Maldini have all passed through the gates of the 'San Siro' and dawned the red and black of Milan. These are just to name a few, all adding silverware to Milans trophy cabinet.
It is clear that throughout the years Berlusconi has not always been the most consistent club owner, but no one can dare question his loyalty. His financial backing through the years, has no doubt helped Milan in reaching some of their greatest heights, and he can take some credit in producing silverware at the club. In the last number of years Berlusconi's funds have dried up and he has been forced to sell the majority of Milans most prized assets - the most recent being Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, both of whom were sold to Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter Milan won the Champions League in 2010, a moment that feels so long ago ©INPHO/Action Images/Carl Recine
Milan now find themselves struggling in Serie A having not qualified for the 2014/15 Champions League (a competition they have won seven times). The days of Arrigo Sacchi have long gone and the 'Rossoneri' face a difficult task in trying to compete with the dominant force in Turin. Milan, just like Berlusconi (76), are not the same power they used to be.
Internazionale, somewhat in the shadows of their same city counterparts due to their success are a club that can still boast an honours list that not many in world football could even dream about. Having won three European cups along with eighteen Scudetto titles they are a club with a rich history and one of Italian footballs kingpins. Inter won an unprecedented treble (Champions League, Serie A, Coppa Italia) under current Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in 2010 which coincided with their fifth Scudetto in succession (equalling an all-time record).
In 1995 Massimo Moratti bought the club during a difficult decade and showed signs of intent when he broke the world transfer record for first, Ronaldo from Barcelona and then two years later, Christian Vieri from Lazio. Although these two signings did not particularly work out in terms of trophies for Inter, it was a sign that Moratti willing to splash his money.
Inter remain the only team in Italy who have yet to play outside the top division and their recent success came when Roberto Mancini came to the club in 2004. He won the Scudetto in his first season in charge and was also handed the title in 2005/2006, when Juventus and Milan were stripped points due to the 'Calciopoli' scandal. Mancini was later sacked due to a fall out with the club.
Under Jose Mourinho the clubs record both domestically and on a European level was impeccable. Since his departure the club has struggled and there has been a number of managerial ins and outs. Like their neighbours they have been poor domestically and have seen some of their worst spells in their history recently, accumulating in the absence of Champions League football. They have started this season in a particularly poor fashion and current boss Walter Mazzarri finds himself under severe pressure already.
It remains to be seen whether either representative of Milan can force their way back into Champions League contention this season or in the near future. However, knowing the history of both clubs, it is only a matter of time before one or the other reigns supreme once again.
