Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Which is the best team in San Siro?

Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Which is the best team in San Siro?

Ciku Njuguna
updated at August 9, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Inter Milan and AC Milan might share several characteristics, but they also share a heated rivalry. For decades the two clubs have been embroiled in fierce competition to prove superiority over the other. So, which is the biggest club between the Rossoneri and the Nezarruni?

Inter Milan vs AC Milan
The Nerazzurri vs the Rossoneri: Which is the best team? Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto & AK BijuRaj.
Source: Getty Images

It is common knowledge that competitions push the involved parties to become better. So has the Inter Milan versus AC Milan rivalry made the two clubs global football giants? Dig in and find out who the best team in San Siro is.

Inter Milan versus AC Milan history

Who came first? In 1899, Associazione Calcio Milan, popularly known as the Rossoneri, was founded by English footballer Hebert Kiplin. Kiplin had been playing in the Italian Internazionale Torino from 1891 before forming Reds and Blacks with a few of his friends.

Inter Milan vs AC Milan
Since their first match in 1908, the two teams have continued to go head to head till today. Photo by Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu Agency.
Source: Getty Images

Since the Italian city already had a prominent club, why was Internazionale created? In 1908, the Internazionale Milano was founded by former Rossoneri players keen on opening up the club to more foreign players. The birth of the new club signalled the beginning of a century-long feud between the two Italian football giants.

Which team has won Serie A most?

At different points in their history, both clubs have dominated the 3 top professional leagues in the country. So, let us find out who has won the most Serie A titles. Although Juventus outranks both clubs that follow closely in the second and third positions with 19 and 18 Serie A wins. In 2021, Juventus' 9-year winning streak was broken by Inter, the defending Serie A champions.

Serie A winners since 2000

Inter Milan Serie A trophy
Internazionale players lift the Scudetto trophy in celebration during the award ceremony after the 5-1 Serie A win against Udinese Calcio. Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket.
Source: Getty Images

Here is a list of the 2000-2021 Inter Milan versus AC Milan Serie A titles.

  • 20/21 Inter (Winners), Rossoneri (Runners up)
  • 19/20 Inter (Runners up)
  • 11/12 Rossoneri (Runners up)
  • 10/11 Rossoneri (Winners), Inter (Runners up)
  • 09/10 Inter (Winners)
  • 08/09 Inter (Winners)
  • 07/08 Inter (Winners)
  • 06/07 Inter (Winners)
  • 05/06 Inter (Winners)
  • 04/05 Rossoneri (Runners up)
  • 03/04 Rossoneri (Winners)
  • 02/03 Inter (Runners up)

Inter Milan versus AC Milan derby

Inter Milan vs AC Milan Derby 2005
Inter and Rossoneri players look on in shock after Inter fans showered the San Siro Stadium pitch with flares during the 2005 UEFA Champions League match. Photo by Mike Hewitt.
Source: Getty Images

The Derby Della Madonnina symbolises the brotherhood, tradition, and culture shared by both teams' players and fans. The Interisti and Milanisti fans thoroughly enjoy one of the biggest matches in Italy in pomp and colour. So, who has won the most derbies? The Internazionale has dominated in almost all meetings with the Reds and Blacks.

Inter Milan versus AC Milan's Champions League titles

Part of the Inter Milan versus AC Milan head to head history includes the races for the UEFA Champions League titles. Who has more wins, the Nezzaruni or the Rossoneri? Here is a breakdown of their head to head matches in the Champions League.

Inter Milan vs AC Milan
Who has the most Champions League titles? The Rossoneri have more titles than Inter in this category. Photo modified by the author.
Source: Original

AC Milan versus Inter Milan's all-time results

Let us look at the biggest victories either of the clubs has had over the other in the past.

Rossoneri versus Internazionale's biggest wins

  • 2001 Serie A - 6:0
  • 1998 Italy Cup - 5:0

Internazionale versus Rossoneri's biggest wins

  • 2009 Serie A -4:0
  • 1967 Serie A - 4:0

Inter Milan versus AC Milan's trophies

Who has more trophies? The clubs have both had local, national and intercontinental success in various leagues. So, let us have a look at the club's honour table.

Inter Milan vs AC Milan
Who is the best? Photo modified by the author.
Source: Original

Inter Milan versus AC Milan's legends

The clubs have a long and shared history. Over the years, several legendary players have played in both clubs at various times. According to Transfermarkt, the clubs have had about 65 player transfers since 1911 till today. Let us have a look at the best and most famous players to play for both clubs.

Mario Balotelli's profile summary

  • Full name: Mario Barwuah Balotelli
  • Date of birth: 12 August 1990
  • Age: 32 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Current status: Active
  • Position: Centre forward
  • Goals at Internazionale: 28 goals and 15 assists
  • Goals at Rossoneri: 33 goals and 9 assists

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's profile summary

  • Full name: Zlatan Ibrahimović
  • Date of birth: 3 October 1981
  • Age: 41 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: Swedish
  • Current status: Active
  • Position: Centre forward
  • Goals at Nezzaruni: 66 goals and 32 assists
  • Goals at Rossoneri: 92 goals and 34 assists
Ronaldo
Ronaldo's goal-scoring skills make him one of the most famous legends at both clubs. Photo by Mauricio Lima/ AFP.
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo's profile summary

  • Full name: Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
  • Date of birth: 22 September 1976
  • Age: 46 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: Brazilian
  • Current status: Retired
  • Position: Centre forward
  • Goals at Nezzaruni: 59 goals and 12 assists
  • Goals at Rossoneri: 9 goals and 5 assists

Who does San Siro belong to?

While there is no definitive answer, it is pretty clear that both clubs have achieved great success in the local, national and international leagues. However, Inter's 5 successive Serie A wins are an impressive show of sportsmanship.

San Siro
Which is the best team in San Siro? Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images & Mattia Ozbot/Soccrates.
Source: Getty Images

So, which team owns San Siro Stadium? The love-hate relationship between the clubs' spices up the football game. None of the fans of either team would bear to see the other leave.

The Inter Milan versus AC Milan rivalry has continued to push both clubs to football greatness. It is clear that both clubs have built a level of mutually beneficial dependence on each other over the years, and it has certainly paid off.

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Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.