AC Milan and Inter Milan faced off in a preseason friendly at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, ending in a 1-1 draw on August 5, 2026.
What's new:
The match marked the first time the Derby della Madonnina was played in Australia.
Federico Dimarco opened the scoring for Inter, with Christopher Nkunku equalizing via a penalty.
Kickoff was at 7:00 PM AWST, corresponding to 7:00 AM ET.
AC Milan's new coach Ruben Amorim debuted the squad after a challenging previous season.
Why it matters: This friendly was a key preparation match for both clubs ahead of the 2026-27 Serie A season.
The match allowed both teams to assess their squads and tactical setups before the competitive season begins.
Inter Milan, the reigning Serie A champions, aimed to maintain fitness and cohesion after a successful season.
AC Milan, coming off a fifth-place finish, looked to bounce back and improve their performance under new management.
Driving the news: The match was part of a week-long tour featuring several Italian clubs in Australia.
Inter Milan will also face Juventus in Perth on August 8, continuing their preseason preparations.
The friendly attracted attention as it was the first time these two historic rivals clashed on Australian soil.
Fans could watch the match live on Channel 7 in Australia and on FOX Deportes in the U.S.
State of play: The match kicked off with both teams fielding strong line-ups.
AC Milan's formation was a 3-4-2-1, featuring players like Lorenzo Torriani, Fikayo Tomori, and Christopher Nkunku.
Inter Milan opted for a 3-5-2 setup, with key players including Federico Dimarco and Lautaro Martinez.
Both teams had notable absences, including AC Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The big picture: This matchup is part of a broader strategy for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming season.
AC Milan aims to regain its status as a top competitor in Serie A after narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification.
Inter seeks to build on last season's success, maintaining momentum and squad depth with new signings.
The friendly atmosphere allowed for both teams to experiment with tactics and player combinations.
What they're saying: Coaches from both teams shared their thoughts on the match.
AC Milan's Ruben Amorim emphasized the importance of honoring club legends and building team spirit.
Inter manager Cristian Chivu downplayed the significance of the result, stating, "August trophies count for nothing," and focused on fitness and progression.
Dimarco noted the special nature of the derby but acknowledged the need for growth as a team.
By the numbers: Key statistics from the match highlight the competitive nature of the derby.
The match featured a total of 12 shots by AC Milan and 10 by Inter Milan.
Possession was nearly even, with AC Milan holding 52% and Inter 48%.
Fouls were also closely matched, with AC Milan committing 14 and Inter 13.
What's next: Both teams will continue their preparations for the upcoming Serie A season.
AC Milan will face Chelsea in Jakarta on August 8, allowing them to test their squad against another top club.
Inter will remain in Australia for their match against Juventus, which will serve as a final tune-up before returning to Europe.
Fans can look forward to more exciting matches as both clubs finalize their rosters and strategies for the new season.