Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti praised derby hero Mauro Icardi as the ‘complete striker’ after his hat-trick sunk AC Milan on Sunday night.
Argentina striker Icardi opened the scoring just before the half-hour and then restored Inter’s advantage on 63 minutes after Suso had equalised for Milan.
And after Giacomo Bonaventura forced an own goal from Inter keeper Samir Handanovic for 2-2, Icardi converted a last-minute penalty to secure a famous win.
Mauro Icardi celebrates during Inter Milan’s dramatic derby win over AC Milan on Sunday
Icardi produced a sensational performance as Inter continued their fine start to the season
Inter coach Luciano Spalletti embraces the derby hero following the final whistle
‘Mauro was grandiose today. Grandiose,’ Spalletti told Mediaset Premium afterwards.
‘Despite all the responsibility placed on his shoulders, he has the humility to listen to advice and works hard dropping back to win the ball.
‘Icardi is a complete striker and for his age shoulders so much responsibility.
Inter have made a brilliant start to the season, winning seven of their eight Serie A games under Spalletti’s command to sit second in the table.
Inter have won seven out of their eight league matches so far and sit just behind Napoli
Icardi silences the Milan supporters as he celebrates the first of his three goals
Inter celebrate their opener with a full-capacity San Siro crowd on Sunday night
They are two points behind pace-setters Napoli, who they face away from home next weekend. It is Inter’s best start to a season since 2002-03.
Icardi, 24, has scored nine goals for Inter in the league so far and they look poised to make a tilt for their first Scudetto since 2010.
‘At times in the second-half we were pushed too deep and forced back, whereas in the first-half we kept the ball down and tried to pass through the centre with the diamond formation,’ Spalletti added.
‘Winning these games gives you enthusiasm but, if you analyse it carefully, we were very professional to understand the right moments of the match.
‘We had the right determination for the derby. However, we have got to improve and do more, because at times we were really struggling.’