Were AC Milan and Inter once the same club? History and origin

Two of Europe’s biggest clubs go head-to-head in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday. In Italian, the derby between AC Milan and Inter is known as the Derby della Madonnina, meaning the ‘Derby of the Little Madonna’. The name derives from a statue of the Virgin Mary on the top of Milan’s Duomo Cathedral, which is often referred to as the ‘Madonnina’.

The first meeting between Milan and Inter came on 10 January 1909 in the Italian Football Championship. Milan won 3–2 but the fixture was only in its infancy.

Before Inter

Within 10 years of their foundation, Milan won the league three times. The club, however, began to lose members in 1907. The Italian FA had a nativist rule, which prevented clubs from signing foreign players. Milan protested and decided to not take part in the league the following season.

Over 40 members decided to leave; they wanted a club where foreign players would be able to play a part. Their leader was a man called Giorgio Muggiani, and the new club was to be called Internazionale “because we are brothers of the world”, Muggiani announced. A new rivalry was born in the northern city.

Inter vs Milan

In terms of Italian league titles Inter and Milan are joint-second behind Juventus (36 league titles), with 19 Scudettos apiece.

In Europe, Milan boast the best record of the two clubs. They have been crowned European champions on seven occasions - four more than Inter’s tally of three. Inter’s last success in the Champions League came in 2010 under the guidance of AS Roma boss José Mourinho.

Second leg at San Siro

The Rossoneri have eliminated Inter in their two previous meetings in the Champions League but will have their work cut out this week as they lost the first leg at San Siro 2-0. The Inter goals on Wednesday came from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

A draw against Milan on Tuesday or a one-goal defeat would be enough to send Inter into their first Champions League final in 13 years.