Milan's derby win over Inter on Halloween night at San Siro was the result the club desperately needed. Coming off a damaging 4-2 home defeat to Bologna, Ruben Amorim's side had slipped to fifth in Serie A, seven points behind the league leaders, and the pressure was mounting fast. The 2-1 victory over Inter steadies the ship and delivers a significant psychological boost at a critical moment.

Amorim had the luxury of recalling Mario Gila, Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira, all returning from muscular problems in time for the derby. Christian Pulisic, who this week signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2031, started from the beginning. The squad depth concerns that Amorim had openly acknowledged remain real, with Fikayo Tomori joining a growing injury list alongside Samuel Chukwueze and others, but the returning players gave the manager genuine options.

Off the pitch, owner Gerry Cardinale has been vocal in his backing of Amorim, promising reinforcements in the January transfer window and hinting at an imminent sporting director announcement. Markus Krosche, the former Eintracht Frankfurt director, is understood to be close to taking on the Head of Football role. The unveiling of the Generali Stadium project, a 71,500-capacity ground set to open in 2031, also signals the club's long-term ambition. The derby result, combined with these structural moves, gives Milan fans genuine reasons for optimism heading into November.