The city of Milan (Milano in Italian) is known in modern times as a fashion capital. Like much of Italy, it attracts visitors from around the world. Yet this town of industry, this Mecca of fashion, has a more sinister side. Milan is split into two rival fractions - AC Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano.

These two footballing giants are known across the globe. Between them they have won 31 Scudetto, 10 Coppa Italias, eight Champions League titles and numerous other trophies including UEFA Cups, Cup-Winners’ Cups and Super Coppa di Lega. But this is no co-operative. These two teams are not only separated on the football field but owners, fans, players and staff are often opposing each other in ideology, politics, business and everything else.

Associazione Calcio Milan, or AC Milan, were founded in 1899 by three Englishmen (hence the anglicised Milan and not the Italian Milano) as the Milan Cricket and Football Club. They won their first title in 1901.

Milan went on to win two more titles in 1906 and 1907 before an internal battle in 1908 led to the creation of F.C. Internazionale Milano. Inter were founded because a group of people had come to believe there were too many Italians in the club and wanted to see more international players fight for the glory of Milano.

Inter became a club for middle-class and right-wing Milanese, whereas Milan became associated with working-class Italians and left-wing politics. Both clubs have maintained this image for much of their history.

AC Milan have, however, undergone a facelift under current owner Silvio Berlusconi, a centre-right politician and businessman. Inter are currently owned by Massimo Moratti, a centre-left oil magnate.

The politics of these two owners has led to the clubs’ fan base being based less on political grounds. However, both still maintain Ultras - particularly Inter - who have played their part in the club’s history.

In September 1908, AC Milan won the first derby 2-1, since when the two sides have developed a fierce rivalry on the pitch. In the league, Inter lead Milan 59 wins to 56, with 52 draws and only 13 goals separating them in over 250 hours of football. In all meetings Milan have won 104 games to Inter’s 89, with 72 draws and 33 goals separating them in 400-plus hours of football. Milan have never lost in the Champions League to Inter.

Over the last five years, the derby fixtures have provide passion, excitement and controversy unlike any other. In the Champions League, they faced off in the 2002-03 semi-final. The game designated as Milan’s home game ended 0-0 and Inter’s 1-1 so Milan went through to the final against Juventus on away goals. This caused grievance on both sides. Inter fans were upset to lose on away goals since they share the same stadium so both legs were effectively home games for both teams. Milan fans and indeed neutrals were appalled by Inter’s negative tactics.

In 2004-05, Milan again beat Inter, this time in the quarter-finals. Milan won their home leg 2-0 and went 1-0 ahead early on in the return. After some close decisions, which all went Milan’s way, Inter fans began pelting the field with bottles and other projectiles. This eventually escalated and ended in Milan goalkeeper Dida being struck by a flare. The game was abandoned and Milan awarded victory 3-0.

In the Italian League, the last five games have resulted in two wins a piece, all by a single goal, and one draw. The last ended 4-3 to Inter, who dominated much of the match. Milan were lucky to end up so close, relying on Marco Materazzi’s sending-off to give them a late opportunity to try to salvage a draw.

This rivalry between there two clubs has so much history, is so evenly matched and such a spectacle that there are not too many things that can be compared to the Derby della Madonnina!