Halloween derby, a spine-chilling first
The Madonnina has seen it all, but she's never dressed up for Halloween. In the past, Milan's iconic symbol has figuratively worn costumes for other celebrations: a true Milanese on St Ambrose's Day, the Befana complete with broom on Epiphany, and an olive branch bearer at Easter. This time, though, the outfit is something new: for the first time, the Madonnina takes on the dark colours of Halloween, ready to watch over a spine-tingling night at San Siro.
Milan and Inter have known a thing or two about banishing ghosts and giving their rivals nightmares for more than a century. Yet among the many chapters of their history, one was still missing: a derby played on October 31. Both teams have played on Halloween before, but never against each other. After all, Milan derbies held on the exact date of a holiday are a rarity, with matches on the eve of a celebration or around festive dates far more common.
When the celebrations divide Milan
Before pumpkins and ghosts, then, the Madonnina had already watched over a few festive derbies. On Easter Sunday, March 25, 1951, Gunnar Nordahl gave the Rossoneri plenty to smile about: Inter 0-1 Milan, another step on the road to the Scudetto that would end a 44-year wait.
All Saints' Day, meanwhile, brought a curious calendar coincidence: November 1, 1933 and November 1, 1953, exactly 20 years apart and two 3-0 victories for the Nerazzurri. First came Giuseppe Meazza's brace and Alfredo Pitto's goal, followed two decades later by István Nyers' hat-trick: same day, same scoreline.
Milan's most traditional celebration, however, favoured the Diavolo. On December 7, 1975, St Ambrose's Day, goals from Calloni and Marini looked set to leave the city with a derby that had no winner. Then Silvano Villa struck to seal a 2-1 victory for the Rossoneri. To celebrate Epiphany with a derby, meanwhile, Milan had to look further afield: all the way to Riyadh, where the Supercoppa was up for grabs on January 6, 2025. Lautaro Martínez and Taremi put Inter 2-0 ahead, before Theo Hernández and Pulisic brought Milan back into it. Then, in stoppage time, Abraham struck: 2-3 and the trophy went to Milan, the most unexpected gift at the bottom of the stocking.
Milan, October 31 tricks and treats
While a Halloween derby is something new, October 31 has already delivered plenty of emotions for both clubs. Milan have some particularly sweet memories, starting in 2007: at Marassi, after a goalless first half, Ancelotti's side swept Sampdoria aside thanks to goals from Kaká, a Gilardino brace, Gourcuff and Seedorf.
Eleven years later, against Genoa, Alessio Romagnoli experienced a real rollercoaster of emotions. First came the own goal that cancelled out Suso's opener. Then, with a draw seemingly inevitable, a stoppage-time lob handed Milan a 2-1 victory. Nightmare and redemption, just over half an hour apart.
On October 31, 2019, it was once again Suso who found the answer: a free-kick to seal a 1-0 win over SPAL and give Stefano Pioli his first victory as Milan head coach. Two years later, Milan also won at the Stadio Olimpico against Mourinho's Roma. Ibrahimović scored from a free-kick and Kessié from the penalty spot to build the lead, but Theo Hernández's sending-off and El Shaarawy's stoppage-time goal made for a far less comfortable finish. The 2-1 scoreline held: 31 points from a possible 33, a Halloween to celebrate at the top of the table alongside Napoli.
Inter, from goal fests to frights
For Inter too, October 31 has brought both comfortable victories and nerve-racking finishes. In 2007, while Milan were scoring five against Sampdoria in Genoa, the Nerazzurri put four past Genoa: Córdoba, Cambiasso, Suazo and Cruz were on target in a 4-1 victory, with Konko scoring for the Rossoblù.
Gervinho's Parma proved a much tougher opponent in 2020. The Ivorian's brace saw Conte's side fall two goals behind at San Siro. Brozović pulled one back, but it took a stoppage-time equaliser from Perišić to avoid defeat. 2-2, with the relief of waking up just before the nightmare becomes reality.
The following year, meanwhile, Joaquín Correa needed just eight minutes to settle a match that had remained deadlocked for an hour. On October 31, 2021, against Udinese, Tucu struck in the 60th and 68th minutes: a 2-0 lunchtime victory, before Milan responded by winning in Rome later that evening. Another happy Halloween for both clubs, but still celebrated on different pitches.
From Turin to Milan, the thrill of the derby
This time, however, the celebrations will unfold on the same pitch. Turin already experienced that on October 31, 2015, when the derby looked destined to finish 1-1 after goals from Pogba and Bovo. Then, in stoppage time, Cuadrado pounced: 2-1 to Juventus, delight for the Bianconeri and heartbreak for Torino just seconds from the final whistle.
Now it's Milan's turn to experience its Halloween derby. The Madonnina is ready for her new costume; beneath her, Milan and Inter will look to make the occasion unforgettable. Preferably by leaving the nightmares to their neighbours.