Ex-Milan star spots unnoticed Modric tactic at the end of 1-0 derby victory over Inter – Football Italia

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Luka Modric of AC Milan celebrates the victory at the end of the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Oliver Bierhoff believes that his former side, Milan, has what it takes to overcome the seven-point deficit between themselves and Serie A leaders Inter before the end of the season and pointed out the clever trick that Luka Modric pulled out towards the end of Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina. 

Milan beat the table-topping Inter for the second time of the season on Sunday evening, picking up a 1-0 victory to move within seven points of their city rivals with 10 matches of the season left to go. 

The question on everybody’s lips now is whether the Rossoneri have what it takes to close down the gap between now and the end of the season. 

Bierhoff assess Milan’s Scudetto chances and heaps praise on Modric

Bierhoff was part of the Rossoneri side that fought back in the final few matches of the 1998-99 campaign to steal the Scudetto away from Lazio on the final day of the season.: “Simple: We believed and we put together a resounding string of victories,” he recalled in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“That’s the reality. Nobody made any calculations, we were only focused on ourselves and we were convinced that while doing that, Lazio would have some missteps.” 

Head coach Massimiliano Allegri continues to insist that qualification for next season’s Champions League is Milan’s sole focus, not a late fight for the Serie A title. 

“In my opinion, there’s no need to make predictions and Allegri is right to continue talking about achieving the Champions League goal first,” said Bierhoff. 

“Milan have to return to Europe first and foremost, that’s important, and then think about the rest. It’s the right thing to keep the team focused on the short-term goal.” 

Bierhoff went on to give his post-match analysis of Milan’s most recent derby victory over Inter: “I saw a motivated team in the derby, that has confidence and had an excellent first half. They might have dropped a little too deep in the second, but they resisted. It’s clear that they’re well organised, despite facing Inter, and show a willingness to suffer.” 

And what is the biggest ‘threat’ to Milan heading into the final stretch of the season?
“The anxiety of having to make up ground. When you’re behind and you can’t slip up, it’s understandable that there’s a little bit more tension. However, it looks to me as though neither Allegri nor the group of players lacks the necessary experience.” 

Bierhoff is particularly impressed by the performances of former Ballon d’Or winner Modric this season: “Champions stay as champions at all ages, and I was convinced that he would prove that when he signed for Milan. I’m not surprised by the ability or the confidence he has on the pitch, but just look at how much he runs. 

“On Sunday, in the final few minutes he took a yellow card for protesting after trying to recover the ball near the opposition area. I think he knew that he needed to break up the rhythm of the match to defend the result. He helps out in both phases of the game and he’s turned out to be a great coup.” 

Bierhoff has no doubt that Milan should offer Modric an extension to his one-year contract: “For the good of Milan and for Italian football, I say yes. There’s nobody else like Modric out there.” 

Bierhoff also gave his thoughts on Milan’s attackers in 2025-26. On Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, he said: “You will see that their goals will come. I’m also convinced that my compatriot Fullkrug will score too. He’s a good guy who has useful characteristics.”