Milan Wins Second Derby, Reopens Scudetto Race

Controversy over Ricci handball incident divides media opinion

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Milan defeated Inter in the second Milan derby of the season, moving to within 7 points of their rivals and reopening the Serie A title race. However, the match was marred by controversy over a potential handball incident involving Inter's Ricci in stoppage time, which was not called as a penalty by the referee.

Why it matters

The Milan derby is one of the most high-profile matches in Italian football, and this result has significant implications for the Serie A title race. The handball incident also sparked debate around refereeing decisions and their impact on key matches.

The details

Milan won the match 1-0 thanks to a goal from Olivier Giroud. The key incident came in stoppage time when Inter's Ricci appeared to handle the ball in the area, but the referee did not award a penalty. This decision was criticized by some pundits, who felt VAR should have intervened, while others argued the handball was not intentional enough to warrant a penalty.

  • Milan defeated Inter 1-0 on March 9, 2026.
  • The controversial handball incident occurred in stoppage time of the match.

The players

Olivier Giroud

The Milan striker scored the winning goal for his team.

Ricci

The Inter player at the center of the controversial handball incident.

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What they’re saying

“I've seen many penalties given in this manner, even less evident ones. In this case, VAR should have intervened, I don't know why it didn't...”

— Beppe Bergomi, Pundit (SkySport)

“He certainly didn't do it on purpose, but I struggle to distinguish it from all the others that have been awarded. This is an outstretched arm going towards the ball, then he tries to retract it, but it hits the ball.”

— Stefano De Grandis, Pundit (SkySport)

“The Ricci handball? Every Sunday we talk about refereeing incidents, the arm is wide. I just say they should have sent the referee to the VAR to decide. These are important matches, it's similar to Bisseck in Inter-Lazio, and last year Lazio drew with such a penalty.”

— Federico Dimarco, Inter Player (Instagram)

What’s next

The Serie A title race remains tight, with Milan now 7 points behind Inter. The controversial refereeing decision in this match could have significant implications for the remainder of the season.

The takeaway

This match highlighted the ongoing debate around refereeing decisions and their impact on high-stakes matches in Italian football. The handling incident involving Ricci divided opinion and sparked comparisons to previous controversial calls, underscoring the need for clearer and more consistent application of the rules.