Milan vs Inter: The Australian Derby – Everything You Need to Know

TL;DR: AC Milan and Inter Milan face off in a summer friendly in Perth, Australia. Kick-off is at 1:00 PM Italian time (7:00 PM local time). The match honors club legend Franco Baresi with a minute of silence. Watch live on DAZN or Sky Sport Uno.

What Is Happening?

Imagine two neighbors who share the same stadium in Milan, Italy, flying halfway across the world to play a practice game in Australia. That’s exactly what’s happening!

• Who: AC Milan (the Rossoneri – Red and Blacks) vs. Inter Milan (the Nerazzurri – Black and Blues).
• What: A summer friendly (preseason warm-up match).
• Where: Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
• When: 1:00 PM Italian time (that’s 7:00 PM in Perth).
• Special Tribute: A minute of silence before kick-off for Franco Baresi, an AC Milan legend who passed away on July 31st at age 66.

Why Is This Match Special?

Important Point: This isn’t just a regular practice game. It’s a Derby della Madonnina (the Milan Derby) played on the other side of the planet! Plus, it’s a touching farewell to one of the greatest defenders ever, Franco Baresi.

Key Storylines

• Inter’s Second Test: They already played one game in this tour, beating Manchester City on penalties.
• Milan’s First Test in Australia: Their only other warm-up so far was a 2-2 draw against Celtic.
• Missing Stars: Several big names are not playing:
  • Lautaro Martínez (Inter Captain) & Adrien Rabiot (New Inter signing) – Still on vacation after international duty.
  • Christian Pulisic & Santiago Giménez (Milan players) – Injured and stayed in Milan. They attended Baresi’s funeral to represent the club.

How to Watch

You have two main options if you are in Italy:

1. DAZN (Streaming App)
2. Sky Sport Uno (Satellite/Cable TV Channel)

Reminder: You need an active subscription to either service to watch the game live.

Quick Summary: Match Fact Sheet

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

1. Is this a real competitive match?

No. It is a friendly (amichevole). It doesn’t count for any trophy or league points. Think of it like a scrimmage before the real season starts—coaches use it to test tactics and give players minutes.

2. Why are they playing in Australia?

Clubs go on summer tours to build their global fanbase, satisfy sponsors, and train in different conditions. Australia is a growing market for European football.

3. Who was Franco Baresi?

He was a one-club man who played his entire 20-year career at AC Milan (1977–1997). He is widely considered one of the greatest defenders in history, winning 6 Serie A titles and 3 European Cups. The minute of silence is a sign of respect from both sets of fans.

4. Why are Pulisic and Gimenez missing?

They are injured. Even though it’s just a friendly, the club doesn’t want to risk making their injuries worse. They stayed in Milan to continue rehab and attended Baresi’s funeral.

5. When does the real season start?

The Serie A 2025/26 season usually starts in mid-to-late August. These friendlies are the final steps of preparation before the games that actually count!

Final Summary

AC Milan and Inter Milan meet in Perth for a historic Derby Down Under. While the result won’t go in the record books, the tribute to Franco Baresi makes it emotional, and the match gives both coaches—Conceição for Milan and Inzaghi for Inter—a chance to test their squads before the real season kicks off in August. Tune in at 1:00 PM on DAZN or Sky Sport Uno to catch the action!