3 takeaways from AC Milan's vital win over rival Inter

AC Milan thrashed a scatter-brained Inter Milan side to pick up a 3-0 win on Sunday - just its third in the derby in the past 12 encounters.

It was a fixture full of all the hallmarks of a typical long-standing rivalry. The ultras on each end of the San Siro stadium produced spectacular sights, the sold-out crowd creating a cauldron of an atmosphere. The referee, hesitant to award yellow cards, allowed the flow of play to go uninterrupted, challenges to fly, and only allowed a single penalty despite several shouts for more.

Related - PHOTO: Ultras unveil spectacular choreography ahead of Milan derby

In the end, the Rossoneri's attacking football proved too much for the Nerazzurri, who lost their composure and their manager for dissent in the second half. Defender Alex leaped to nod in Milan's eventual winner in the first stanza, and Carlos Bacca and M'Baye Niang scored within moments of each other in the final 20 minutes to condemn Inter to its worst derby loss since April 2011.

Milan is now just six points behind a Champions League spot. Here are the three takeaways from one of its best performances in years:

Milan lays to waste Inter's back four

Milan debunked the stats and the reputation Inter has boasted so far this season as Serie A's best defensive unit.

In the spirit of forward-thinking football that seemed to depart San Siro in recent years, Milan put pressure on Inter throughout the match. The set pieces were dangerous, the runs constant, the passes made with purpose. Keisuke Honda's presence in particular loomed large over the entire proceedings, as he launched the ball into the area time and again and assisted Alex's opening goal.

The 33-year-old Brazilian had already made some key interceptions and clearances by the time he headed his team's go-ahead goal in the 35th minute. The work started at the back: Milan's defence gave Inter very little to work with.

Then came the blitz towards the end of the second frame. Inter, clearly worn out and unable to keep its shape, succumbed to wave after wave of Milan attacks. Niang opened up the black-and-blue back four with a perfect cross for Bacca, who converted his 11th league goal of the campaign.

Minutes later, Milan came at its opponent again. Giacomo Bonaventura, who has become the most confident and creative force for the Diavoli over the past 22 matches, picked up the ball at the midfield line, charged towards goal and set up the clincher.

Icardi fails to make impression

The omission of Mauro Icardi from the starting XI robbed Inter of its most direct striker, and his team could have used one in the early going. New signing Eder, who did play from the first minute, couldn't quite get a holding on the match, and Stevan Jovetic often found himself in deep positions.

Inter had half as many chances in the penalty area, registering just four to Milan's eight, and clearly lacked personality in the final third. There were tests for 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to pass, including a misplay that almost cost Milan a penalty, but there weren't enough threats in the opposing half for Inter. It relied predominantly on the right channel to create chances, but couldn't deliver the crucial blow.

When Icardi did emerge as a substitute in the 64th minute, he managed to coax an elusive penalty call out of official Antonio Damato. But the 22-year-old, with an opportunity to level the score, smacked the upright. Inter lost any hope right there and then.

Donnarumma shows nerves as youngest debutant

Donnarumma became the youngest player to ever start in a Milan derby, and for the most part, no one could tell. He was assertive in his area, unafraid to come out and challenge an attacker, and he was more active than his more accomplished and experienced counterpart, Samir Handanovic. Most importantly, he kept his fifth clean sheet of his rookie year, and proved that the comparisons to Gianluigi Buffon may actually have some merit.

He is now starting to get international attention, as Leicester City's own netminder, Kasper Schmeichel, seemed to indicate:

The ultimate reason why he is playing on a consistent basis - and in big games - lands with manager Sinisa Mihajlovic. Tipped to be fired on several occasions this season, Mihajlovic placed trust in Donnarumma and gave him the No. 1 position over the more seasoned Diego Lopez. And this performance only vindicated that decision.

"He has always demonstrated personality and given security to the team," Mihajlovic said after the match. "He's not even 17 yet, but he deserves to play in goal. He will have a great future."