Player Ratings: AC Milan 0-1 Inter

Beaten by Thiago Motta’s header which was ruled offside, but then got a foot to Alvarez’s poor effort from six yards just as Inter appeared to be getting on top. Could do little about Milito’s expertly-taken winner.

Got in a vital block as Maicon looked to pick out Pazzini, but almost gifted the Nerazzurri a sight of goal late in the first half. Looked assured for the most part, but could do nothing about the position Milito was allowed to get into by Abate.

Too easily rolled by Zanetti to set up an Inter attack in the first 10 minutes, and Inter had regular success down his wing, especially whenever Maicon joined the attack. Replaced by Robinho as Milan looked to grab an equaliser.

Even in defeat, Thiago Silva’s display was at times masterful. Gave Pazzini very little to work with all night, and even went on a couple of charging runs ala compatriot Lucio which Milan could have done better with.

Clattered Pazzini from behind as he looked to stamp his mark on the game in the opening stages, but then very nearly became a surprise first scorer when belting an effort against the bar from range on the stroke of half-time. His little run, control and pass for Ibrahimovic almost teed up an equaliser.

In probably his biggest game so far in the red and black, the former Palermo man often got lost in the midfield tussle. His poor anticipation from Ibrahimovic’s pass helped Inter win possession ahead of Milito’s killer goal. Substituted with 10 to go.

Got into great space from a first-half corner but fired his volley well over Julio Cesar’s bar. Found it difficult to stamp his authority on the game as Inter defended in great numbers, and ultimately saw few further sights of goal.

Showed some glimpses of real attacking quality, but never took the game by the scruff as a natural No.10 might have. One shot apart, he asked too little of Julio Cesar and looked unlikely to sway the game back in Milan’s favour after the Milito goal.

Blazed over when well placed in the area after failing to get the ball out of his feet, then fired well wide when deep into Inter territory in the second half, but neat passes for Emanuelson and Boateng set up two decent attacks. Failed to really test Julio Cesar though, much to Milan’s dismay.

Tried one flick shot reminiscent of Euro 2004 during a spell in the first half when Milan were regularly looking to him to open up Inter. His running battle with Samuel was one of the features of the game, but he increasingly became Milan’s only hope, and with the Argentine out-performing him he was unable to influence the result.

Smothered Ibrahimovic’s tame 20-yard effort with ease as he was worked for the first time, but he almost gave himself more to do when scuffing a clearance straight to Boateng. Later produced a fabulous save from Seedorf’s effort from range.

His excellent early burst may have yielded a better result had he released the ball sooner, but he continued to charge forward at will while dealing with Pato and Ibrahimovic as and when necessary.

Made a couple of great runs in the first half, but after a particularly good one-two with Milito, his low cross was behind Pazzini. Continued to cause trouble going forward and was well backed up defensively when attacks broke down.

His early ‘welcome to the game’ foul on Pato showed he meant business, and he went about his work superbly throughout, winning his personal battle with Ibrahimovic despite letting the Swede have a couple of glances at goal late in the first period.

Looked very exposed at times defensively but very nearly added to Milito’s opener when shooting just wide, then could have made the game safe when cutting inside onto his left but shot straight at Abbiati.

Thought he’d headed Inter ahead in the fifth minute but was erroneously called offside, then got involved in an exchange with Ibrahimovic as the heat was raised before half-time. Kept up an excellent work-rate though, and was a worthy winner in the midfield battle.

Lost possession in a dangerous position to Van Bommel early on, then amazingly side-footed straight at Abbiati when presented with a superb chance six yards from goal. Was unable to release the pressure in the second half and exited at the three-quarter point.

Did an expert job of the sitting role at the base of midfield which allowed Thiago Motta to show the greater dynamism in the middle. Rarely gave his direct opponents any space from which to get into the game.

Was kept quiet for most of the opening period, but after Milito’s opener he became a key man as his hold-up play came to the fore, helping to give his overworked team-mates a vital breather as they held on for the win.

Was the pivot in a nice one-two with Maicon, but then his poor return pass to Lucio set up a Milan counter. That was made up for in the 54th minute though, when he pounced on Abate’s error to finish expertly across Abbiati, and he could have added another against the odds later.