Derby della Madonnina

The Derby della Madonnina, also known as the Derby di Milano (Milan Derby, in English), is a derby football match between the two prominent Milanese clubs, Internazionale and A.C. Milan. It is called Derby della Madonnina in honour of one of the main sights in the city of Milan, the statue of the Virgin Mary on the top of the Duomo, which is often referred to as the Madonnina (“Little Madonna” in Italian).

In the past, Internazionale (commonly abbreviated to Inter) was seen as the club of the Milan bourgeoisie (nicknamed bauscia, a Milanese term meaning “braggart”), whereas A.C. Milan (nicknamed casciavid, meaning “screwdriver” in Lombard language, with reference to the blue-collar worker) was supported mainly by working class. Because of their more prosperous ancestry, Inter fans had the “luxury” to go to the San Siro stadium by motorcycle (motoretta, another nickname given to the Nerazzurri). On the other hand, the Rossoneri were also known as tramvee (i.e. able to be transferred to the stadium only by public transport). Today, this difference has largely been mitigated.

Taking place at least twice during the year via the league fixtures, this cross-town rivalry has extended to the Coppa Italia, Champions League, and Supercoppa Italiana, as well as minor tournaments and friendlies. It is one of the only major crosstown derbies in association football that are always played in the same stadium, in this case the San Siro, as both Milan and Internazionale call San Siro “home”.