Diego Milito finally woke up this season after a terrible 2010-2011, struggling with injuries and the Post-Mourinho syndrome. He scored his 7th goals of the season in the Milan Derby, giving Inter a 1-0 win over AC Milan, putting the nerazzurri back in contention for the Serie A title.

It was a rather depressing match for Milan fans, frustrated by the clinical and effective Inter defense. There’s not a shred of creativity and imaginative play among the Inter players. Direct, efficient, but nothing that wows you, especially with Sneijder just coming back from injury and Maruo Zarate not living up to expectations.

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Milan? The front line simply failed. Zlatan Ibrahimovic gets double teamed every time he’s with the ball, which means Alexandre Pato needs to use that extra attention and score. Pato’s decision making was absolutely horrendous at the San Siro, continuing his awful season, turning the ball over or making the wrong decision each and every time he was faced with the challenge.

Robinho, who came on for Zambrotta in the second half, in Allegri’s attempt to break the Inter defense, wasn’t much better. Milan created chances, good ones, as the Inter defense, led by a fantastic Lucio and Walter Samuel, mostly focused on Zlatan, but the other Brazilian failed to make any good choices as well. Seedorf who came on even later brought the long range threat, but Julio Cesar handled it well.

You wouldn’t have been able to guess Milan have the most prolific attack in the Serie A from their display yesterday. Maybe Aquilani staying out of that one meant more than previously thought. For Inter, it was a hard working display that continues their fantastic run after a horrible start with a head coach that was meant to be a scapegoat until Massimo Moratti finds someone better.

Claudio Ranieri, not exactly the most appreciated of managers around Europe, who always falls out of favor with owners after good starts, is currently in Moratti’s good graces, and for good reason.