“Marco Materazzi’s elbow was out again and, in normal circumstances, Manuel Rui Costa would wince and brace himself for the impact. But this was no ordinary moment. Materazzi was leaning on his opponent’s shoulder in astonished repose as if they were at the Camparino bar in the Galleria, sharing a spritz. Inter’s enforcer did not seek to hurt Milan’s playmaker. Instead, they stood in shock and awe at what was going on in front of them, as plumes of grapefruit-coloured smoke streamed from dozens of flares. The image captured by the former Reuters photographer Stefano Rellandini came to define the Milan derby at its most extreme. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

“The Derby della Madonnina, also known as the Derby di Milano (English: Milan Derby), is a derby football match between the two prominent Milanese clubs, Inter Milanand AC 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, Inter Milan (commonly abbreviated to Inter) was seen as the club of the Milan bourgeoisie (nicknamed bauscia, a Milanese term meaning ‘braggart’), whereas Milan (nicknamed casciavit or 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 or tranvee (i.e. able to be transferred to the stadium only by public transport). …”
W – Derby della Madonnina
Derby della Madonnina: Best Five Games
YouTube: Crazy Scenes In Milan As Inter Fans & Players Celebrate The 20th Scudetto In The Club’s History, Ultras World in Milano – AC Milan vs Inter (03.09.2022)