The city`s third team takes on Inter`s youth squad in Serie C. For once, the traditional Milanese derby won`t be Milan-Inter. President Gallazzi calls it “a dream come true” for his team.
Milan-Inter, or Inter-Milan: the “Derby della Madonnina” boasts a rich history, dating back to January 10, 1909, when Milan won the first encounter 3-2. Over 116 years, 244 matches have been played, resulting in 91 victories for the Nerazzurri and 82 for the Rossoneri. This rivalry is steeped in emotion, joy, and sorrow, marked by iconic moments like flares on the pitch, Materazzi`s arm on Rui Costa`s shoulder, famous quotes, and playful taunts. Peppino Prisco once quipped, “In Milan, there are two teams: Inter and Inter`s Primavera (youth) team.” But what would the lawyer have said if he knew the 245th official derby would be between his beloved Inter and… Alcione, arguably Milan`s third (or perhaps fourth, with apologies to Prisco) team? It`s true: for the first time in history, in an official professional match, the Derby della Madonnina will not be Milan-Inter. The match is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025, at 8:30 PM, at the Stadio Breda in Sesto San Giovanni, as Alcione-Inter U23 face off in the tenth round of the Serie C championship. This sets a unique stage for the famous Milanese derby.
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It`s All True
Peppino Prisco used to say, “Serie A is in our DNA.” So what is Inter doing in Serie C? The `blame,` so to speak, lies with their second team. As President Marotta stated last winter, “We will invest in youth; we are setting up an Under 23 team.” Following Juventus, Atalanta, and Milan, Inter has now joined the ranks. The model is Spanish: create a second team, integrate young players, let them gain experience in real football, and then bring them into the first team.
Alcione is a completely different story. Founded in 1952 by Ennio Di Ponzio, the club has climbed from Promozione to Serie C in the last eight years. Its headquarters are on Via Olivieri, a stone`s throw from San Siro, in an area where the Orange Stadium, a privately-owned stadium, is expected to open in Settimo, just outside Milan`s borders, by 2026. Alcione Milano is also a hotbed of talent. Many notable players have passed through its ranks, including Dossena, Paradiso, Corti, Pistone, “Airone” Caracciolo, and most recently, Rovella, Lazio`s golden boy and a national team regular. Even Ernesto Pellegrini, the former Nerazzurri patron who passed away on May 31, was also `orange.` He once recounted, “Since they wouldn`t let me play, I bought Alcione.” After their first historic year in Serie C (a comfortable survival), President Giulio Gallazzi has raised the bar: “We want Serie B, and after that, we`ll see…” This is a clear statement that Alcione is also a force to be reckoned with.
Words from the President
Giulio Gallazzi is many things: a former American football professional, entrepreneur, president, newly elected federal councilor… and a friend of Marotta`s. He once said, “He often gives me advice.” The implication being: if you want to be a president, learn from one of the best. Gallazzi shared his thoughts ahead of the derby: “These days I spoke with Beppe and told him, `Let`s see if we end up playing with the same number of points…` That would be really great. For us, all of this is a dream, we feel it every time we look at the standings.” Regarding dreams, he added: “You know, sometimes they come true. I think first and foremost of our younger players: now they can aim to challenge Inter, or even Milan, wearing the orange jersey.” Following Marcello Montini`s departure, two new partners have joined: Gruppo UPZ (30%) and Alberto Vigo (10%). Together with Gallazzi, they represent Alcione`s future. Beyond the boardroom, the technical side is managed by Matteo Mavilla (Sporting Director) and Giovanni Cusatis (coach). The orange coach remarked on the upcoming Milanese classic: “A derby against Inter was something unimaginable; I think it gratifies everyone`s hard work.” And the future? “We know where we started, what we`re doing, and where we want to go.”
Alcione`s Star Player
Andrea Invernizzi, 25, is a creative midfielder with easy dribbling, clever flicks and backheels, more genius than recklessness – a true `diez` (number ten) of a kind rarely seen today. Milanese and a former AC Milan youth player, he developed at Vismara alongside Bellanova and Brescianini before moving into senior football with Ascoli, Seregno, and then Alcione. Here, he has accumulated a hundred appearances and three goals. Few but crucial, like his historic first goal for Alcione in Serie C against Atalanta U23 last year. As a former AC Milan player, he reflects: “I`ve played many derbies against Inter, and it was always emotional. This year`s will be somewhat special, a different kind of Milan derby.” Milan is a great city, his home. “I grew up here; no other team in Italy can boast three professional teams. People are starting to talk about Alcione around town, and that`s beautiful.” What`s next? “We take it one game at a time; that`s our secret. We`re working well, the new players have integrated, and the results are proving us right.” The next stop is the derby, a truly special occasion for Invernizzi.
Inter: Vecchi Speaks
Stefano Vecchi, born in `71, is the coach who returned to Inter after seven years. With the Primavera youth team, he won two Scudetti (2017 and 2018), along with two Viareggio tournaments, a Coppa Italia, and a Supercoppa. He also had a handful of Serie A stints after the dismissals of De Boer and Pioli. “Coming back? Seeing certain places again, like Appiano Gentile or Interello, is emotional. As are the people with whom I shared so many good moments.” After many challenges against AC Milan, this will also be an unprecedented Milan derby for him: “Alcione is a historic club; at the youth sector level, it has always been an excellent environment. Now they`ve made a qualitative leap thanks to a passionate and farsighted ownership. I heard the president say that in a few years they want to be competitive and win, and I believe they are moving in that direction.” And his Inter team? “It`s hard to say where we are exactly. The minimum goal is to consolidate ourselves in the category; anything more is a bonus. We don`t fully know the limits of these young players yet, so every training session, every match serves to help them become complete players.” And ready for the first team: “That`s the objective: there`s a lot of work to do; we`re just at the beginning. Everything changes a bit between Primavera and Serie C. It`s a different kind of football compared to youth academy; the boys need to learn to face difficult moments, defend, manage the game. In Primavera, especially for a team like Inter, this happens much less often.”
Inter`s Rising Star
Matteo Spinaccè, or simply Spic. He`s 19, left-footed, nearly 190 centimeters tall, a center-forward with about fifty goals in Inter`s youth academy. His strong points? “My shot and physicality.” He also has clear ideas about areas for improvement: “I need to learn to defend the ball better, help the team move up, and draw more fouls.” This last aspect is what he`s training in Serie C, his first year in senior football after five years in Inter`s youth system. “In summer friendlies, when I faced experienced defenders, I struggled. Now things are already better, and I can hold my own physically.” “Better” meaning… great. So far, he has three goals, highlighted by a brace against Lumezzane: “A start like this? Honestly, I didn`t expect it,” says Spic. Meanwhile, he studies Pio Esposito: “I played with him and know him well; he`s had an exceptional journey. He deserves everything. I take him as a role model.” His first idol was CR7, now he studies Thuram: “I see myself in him because of our characteristics. I haven`t had a chance to talk much or bond with him, but I can say he`s an exceptional guy, one who plays with a smile. And he`s good with us young players.” Next stop: the derby. He has played countless derbies against Milan, but this will be his first against Alcione.
Anticipating the Derby
These are the protagonists. And these are their stories, their dreams. On one side, Inter`s young talents, and on the other, Alcione, “a team like those in American movies, the small-town team that ultimately succeeds… and wins the championship,” says President Gallazzi. So, the question remains: who will claim the Madonnina?
