Today in Serie A: November 28, 1971 – Bigon and That “Funny” Derby Goal

In the 1960s and 1970s decades, Inter vs Milan mostly meant Sandro Mazzola vs Gianni Rivera, the two legendary Nerazzurri and Rossoneri captains. However, in the Derby della Madonnina played on November 28, 1971, the spotlight was rather stolen by Milan’s Alberto Bigon, who led his side to a 3-2 win with a brace (even though his second goal was hardly an intentional one…)

On a gloomy and rainy Sunday afternoon at the San Siro, the two sides exchanged blows in a first half that featured four goals. Bigon opened the scoring for the Rossoneri with a header early on, but Inter’s Gian Piero Ghio leveled the score on 18 minutes. Rivera put Milan ahead again, then Roberto Boninsegna converted a free kick before half time.

Those expecting an equally exciting second half were left disappointed as the match turned into a tactical stalemate after the restart.

With five minutes to go, though, Nerazzurri defender Tarcisio Burgnich attempted to clear his area, but his kick made the ball bounce on Bigon’s buttock as the Milan player had turned back to instinctively protect himself. The result was a “funny” shot that caught Inter goalkeeper Ivano Bordon by surprise.

Not the prettiest goal if you ask, but a derby is a derby and it’s just about winning it.

After a solid career as an offensive midfielder, Albertino Bigon turned into a successful coach. His highlight was winning the Scudetto and the Supercoppa Italiana in the 1989/90 season at the helm of Napoli.

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