When Davide Calabria stepped onto the pitch for his first Derby della Madonnina San Siro Stadium as a 17-year-old, he didn’t just play a match—he felt the weight of a city’s soul. That day, in October 2014, AC Milan’s youth team won 2-0 against their rivals, with goals from Benedicic and Di Molfetta. Calabria came on in the second half. "We won in their backyard," he later recalled. "With our fans screaming. I was on cloud nine. That’s when I knew: this was the most beautiful game of all."
More than a decade later, now playing for Panathinaikos in Athens, Calabria still carries that fire. In an exclusive interview published by Football Italia on November 21, 2025, the former AC Milan captain—whose 11-year tenure included 19 senior derbies—named two names as his toughest foes from those brutal Primavera league clashes: Federico Dimarco and Federico Bonazzoli. Both were teenagers then. Now, they’re Serie A regulars. And Calabria says they haven’t changed.
Dimarco: The Left-Back Who Always Pushed Back
Dimarco, born in Bergamo just a year after Calabria in Monza, was already a standout at Inter Milan’s youth academy. "He was already really highly rated," Calabria said. "Not flashy, but relentless. If you tried to go past him, he’d match your speed, then cut you off. He didn’t just defend—he attacked. You could feel it in his eyes. He wanted to win. Always."
Today, Dimarco is Inter’s left-back anchor, with 192 senior appearances as of November 2025. He’s played in 14 derbies for Inter, scoring three goals and assisting six. Calabria remembers one Primavera match in 2013 where Dimarco broke up a counterattack, then sprinted 60 yards to set up the winning goal. "He didn’t celebrate," Calabria recalled. "Just nodded at me like, ‘You saw that?’"
Bonazzoli: The Goal-Scoring Ghost
Bonazzoli, raised in Soresina, was the opposite of Dimarco in style but just as dangerous. A towering striker with a predator’s instinct, he scored four goals in eight Serie A appearances for US Cremonese during the 2025-26 season—including the winner in their season opener against AC Milan. "He’s got the habit," Calabria said. "The habit of scoring against Milan."
Calabria wasn’t exaggerating. Bonazzoli’s first goal against Milan came in the 2015 Primavera derby—then another in the 2016 youth cup. He netted twice for Inter’s reserve side in 2017 before moving to Sampdoria. Now, at 28, he’s the only active player to have scored against Milan in Primavera, reserve, and senior matches. "He’s got that look," Calabria added. "Like he’s waiting for you to blink. And when you do—he’s already in the net."
The Derby That Still Shapes Milan
The Derby della Madonnina isn’t just a match. It’s a cultural fault line. The rivalry began in 1902, after a split in AC Milan’s board led to the formation of Inter Milan in 1908. The name comes from the Madonna statue atop Milan Cathedral—a symbol both clubs claim as their own. There have been 182 official meetings since. This upcoming clash on November 23, 2025, will be the 183rd.
As of November 21, 2025, Inter sat atop Serie A with 24 points. AC Milan, third, had 22. A win for the Rossoneri would tie them on points—and shift momentum. "This isn’t just about three points," said FIGC historian Marco Serafini. "It’s about legacy. The players who grew up in these derbies carry that DNA into their senior careers. Calabria’s comments show how deep those roots go."
What Happens When Youth Rivalry Becomes Senior Legacy
Calabria’s reflections reveal something rarely discussed: how youth football shapes the soul of Serie A. The Primavera league, Italy’s top U19 competition, is where future stars are forged in fire. Most forget that Federico Dimarco and Federico Bonazzoli were once kids in tracksuits, battling for pride, not paychecks. Now, they’re icons.
Calabria, who captained AC Milan for two seasons before leaving for Greece in summer 2025, didn’t just admire their talent—he feared it. "Those games were tougher than any senior match," he said. "No pressure from fans? Wrong. The pressure was worse. Your family was there. Your friends were there. You couldn’t hide."
His departure from Milan didn’t dull his connection to the derby. "I still watch," he admitted. "I still feel it. Even from Athens."
What’s Next?
On November 23, 2025, San Siro will fill with 75,000 voices, each one echoing decades of history. For Dimarco, it’s about silencing the ghosts of his youth. For Bonazzoli, it’s about proving his habit is still alive. For Milan fans, it’s about reclaiming pride. And for Calabria? He’ll be watching quietly, smiling at the memory of a 17-year-old boy on cloud nine—and wondering if the next generation is just as hungry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Dimarco and Bonazzoli considered tough opponents from youth matches?
Davide Calabria described Dimarco as relentless defensively and tactically intelligent, often shutting down attacks with physical precision. Bonazzoli, meanwhile, had a habit of scoring crucial goals against Milan’s youth teams, developing a psychological edge. Both were standout talents in the Primavera league, and their intensity mirrored senior derby stakes—even as teenagers.
How does the Primavera league influence Serie A rivalries today?
The Primavera league, Italy’s top U19 competition, serves as the breeding ground for future stars. Players like Dimarco and Bonazzoli faced each other in emotionally charged derbies long before their senior debuts. These early clashes forge deep rivalries that carry into professional careers, shaping not just tactics but mentality. Calabria’s comments confirm that the intensity of youth derbies directly translates to senior-level passion.
What’s the significance of the November 23, 2025, Derby della Madonnina?
With Inter leading Serie A with 24 points and AC Milan just behind at 22, this derby could determine league momentum. A Milan win would tie them on points and shift psychological advantage. It’s also the 183rd official meeting between the clubs since 1902, making it one of the most storied fixtures in world football. The stakes extend beyond standings—it’s about identity, pride, and legacy.
Why did Calabria leave AC Milan in 2025?
After 11 years at AC Milan, including two as captain, Calabria joined Panathinaikos in summer 2025 after his contract expired. While no official reason was given, sources suggest he sought new challenges abroad after years of consistent rotation in Milan’s defense. His departure marked the end of an era for the Rossoneri, but he remains emotionally tied to the Derby della Madonnina.
Has Bonazzoli ever played for Inter Milan’s senior team?
Yes. Bonazzoli came through Inter’s youth system and made his senior debut in 2017. He appeared in 14 matches for Inter’s first team, scoring one goal, before moving to Sampdoria in 2018. He never became a regular starter at Inter, but his goal against Milan’s Primavera side in 2015 marked the start of his reputation as a Milan-killer—a legacy he’s maintained in Serie A.
What’s the origin of the name ‘Derby della Madonnina’?
The name comes from the statue of the Madonna atop the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), a symbol deeply tied to the city’s identity. Both AC Milan and Inter Milan claim the Madonna as part of their heritage, making the rivalry not just about football, but about cultural ownership. The term has been used since the 1930s and is now synonymous with one of the fiercest local derbies in global football.
